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The shortest month of the year is gone — and Villa are still in the automatic promotion hunt. The club took wins from the three easiest matches — and managed a point against two tough teams without Adomah and Grealish.
March brings a different challenge and plenty of opportunity.
Couple of news notes:
- Norwich match has been picked up for TV and pushed to 5:30 kickoff. Then it was moved for a second time to 12:30 local time. It will be the fourth TV match in a row.
- Medical Update: Kodjia & Hutton are out. Grealish & Adomah could be in contention. Andre Green has picked up another hamstring issue in what has been a really frustrating year for the young winger. Tuanzebe is questionable.
- Albert Adomah is having so much fun at Villa — he would sign a 10-year deal if offered.
- Manchester United have triggered an extension clause in Sam Johnstone’s contract — meaning that the keeper will not leave for free.
February: Mixed Bag
Feb 3rd Burton 3-2 Win, Recap, Expected Villa
Feb 11th Birmingham (TV) 2-0 Win, Recap, Ratings, SOTC xV
Feb 17th @ Fulham 2-0 Loss, Recap, xV
Feb 20th Preston 1-1 Draw, Recap, Is the grass to blame?
Feb 24th @ Sheffield Wednesday 2-4 Win, Recap, Ratings. The win looked undeserved but stats give a different story.
Player of the month: Robert Snodgrass. The Scottish winger continues to be vital to the Villa attack. He looked lost for the first half of Fulham playing on the left side — but besides that move he has been fantastic. He is the kind of player that you love on your team — and HATE playing against. That represents the squad well.
Post-February Table
| # | Club | Played | Points | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Club | Played | Points | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 1 | Wolves | 34 | 73 | 22 | 7 | 5 |
| 2 | Cardiff City | 34 | 67 | 20 | 7 | 7 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 34 | 63 | 18 | 9 | 7 |
| 4 | Derby County | 34 | 60 | 16 | 12 | 6 |
| 5 | Fulham | 34 | 59 | 16 | 11 | 7 |
| 6 | Sheff Utd | 34 | 55 | 17 | 4 | 13 |
| 7 | Bristol City | 34 | 54 | 14 | 12 | 8 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 34 | 52 | 15 | 7 | 12 |
| 9 | Preston | 34 | 51 | 12 | 15 | 7 |
| 10 | Brentford | 34 | 50 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
March: One of these matches is not like the others
Mar 3rd QPR
Mar 6th @ Sunderland
Mar 10th Wolves (TV)
Mar 17th @ Bolton Wanderers (TV)
Mar 31st @ Hull City (TV)
“Just win baby.” March should mean wins. Four matches against bottom half teams. People may not want to hear this — but the top of the table clash is the least important match of the of the month. It is highly unlikely that anyone is catching Wolves. As I see it that match is bonus points — the other four need to be wins. And should be — if Villa take care of business.