Our sparring partners for the Boxing Day fixture happens to be a club that we have never before met in the league: Burton Albion. And such has been the interest generated that the match would appear to be close to being a sell-out, giving the appearance that there is something about it that invites curiosity. More 'derby' feeling seems to be generated for this than a Blues match, it might seem.
Well, though Burton is new to us in major competition, the town of Burton figured a good deal in Villa's early exploits in the late 1870s and early 1880s. So-called friendly matches against Burton teams were usually vigorous affairs, and (as Archie Hunter would have told you) they could throw a mean punch. And for that they didn't need to play on Boxing Day for the excuse!
It was at Burton that Villa's famed skipper of the 1880s, Archie Hunter, made his debut for the Lions in 1878. And it quickly developed into something of a free-for-all, with 'hacking' and sly digs being a feature of the match. In fact, the match finished on such a warm note that the Villa players had to get off the pitch quickly. The match score? Well, there were various opinions about that depending on which side you supported!
But though the word "boxing" describes the day of the upcoming match, it should not - I would hope - mean that this fixture will succumb to the atmosphere of that in 1878, and with Nigel Clough being the man in charge of the Brewers, peace should reign.
From Villa's point of view, and being unbeaten so far at Villa Park this season, this match offers some hope that any Christmas cheer will come Villa's way, especially if Mr. Kodjia remains in determined mood to keep his scoring tally going.
For my part, I would also hope that Jack Grealish starts this match and really shows what he can do as a team player. I sense this is just the opportunity that he needs to strut his stuff and show himself to be the great player that everyone thinks that he should be. The second tier of the league should offer Jack the opportunity for him to show more of his true ability, and if he can't do it at this level, then what chance does he have when Villa are promoted?
As I have said before, I would hope for youth to be given its chance, and if Hepburn-Murphy were to partner Kodjia that would be wonderful. However, I can't quite see RHM actually starting the match and I would expect that the Villa team that won at QPR will start this match, with the possible switch of Grealish for either Gardner or Bacuna: it's important to play a settled side.
It would be 'nice' to achieve a comfortable win if for no other reason than to increase the belief that we are able to dispose of Leeds, who visit only 3 days later.
UTV!
Well, though Burton is new to us in major competition, the town of Burton figured a good deal in Villa's early exploits in the late 1870s and early 1880s. So-called friendly matches against Burton teams were usually vigorous affairs, and (as Archie Hunter would have told you) they could throw a mean punch. And for that they didn't need to play on Boxing Day for the excuse!
It was at Burton that Villa's famed skipper of the 1880s, Archie Hunter, made his debut for the Lions in 1878. And it quickly developed into something of a free-for-all, with 'hacking' and sly digs being a feature of the match. In fact, the match finished on such a warm note that the Villa players had to get off the pitch quickly. The match score? Well, there were various opinions about that depending on which side you supported!
But though the word "boxing" describes the day of the upcoming match, it should not - I would hope - mean that this fixture will succumb to the atmosphere of that in 1878, and with Nigel Clough being the man in charge of the Brewers, peace should reign.
From Villa's point of view, and being unbeaten so far at Villa Park this season, this match offers some hope that any Christmas cheer will come Villa's way, especially if Mr. Kodjia remains in determined mood to keep his scoring tally going.
For my part, I would also hope that Jack Grealish starts this match and really shows what he can do as a team player. I sense this is just the opportunity that he needs to strut his stuff and show himself to be the great player that everyone thinks that he should be. The second tier of the league should offer Jack the opportunity for him to show more of his true ability, and if he can't do it at this level, then what chance does he have when Villa are promoted?
As I have said before, I would hope for youth to be given its chance, and if Hepburn-Murphy were to partner Kodjia that would be wonderful. However, I can't quite see RHM actually starting the match and I would expect that the Villa team that won at QPR will start this match, with the possible switch of Grealish for either Gardner or Bacuna: it's important to play a settled side.
It would be 'nice' to achieve a comfortable win if for no other reason than to increase the belief that we are able to dispose of Leeds, who visit only 3 days later.
UTV!
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