Match Preview: Villa v QPR

Who are we playing?
Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday 7th April 2015

Where are we playing?
Villa Park

Can I go?
Loads of tickets available. If only people were as keen to attend this VITAL match as they are to go glory hunting at Wembley. Hopefully there will be a last minute rush because the crowd really can make a difference in matches like this.

Easy to get to?
Beware of over-running maintenance work if you are on the choo-choo.

Can I watch it on telly?
This was originally scheduled for telly but the move for FA Cup purposes means it's not now. Sure you can watch on dodgy web streams and in some pubs but you really should get down the ground if possibly can.

Big game?
Huge.

West Brom were fucking useless

QPR'S away form may have been dismal for most of the season but they suddenly hit form at The Hawthorns, demolishing Tony Pulis's West Brom 4-1. Fair enough, West Brom weren't really at the races but Rangers' goals were well worked and they certainly won't be the push-overs many of us were desperately hoping they'd be.

With away trips to Spurs and Man City looming, this match is our only realistic chance of a decent points return in the whole of April. Anything other than a win here is complete and utter disaster. Sherwood's selections are hailed as bold by many, but is there really any point in including some many forwards if there's no-one in the engine room to provide them with the ball?

We were certainly light in midfield in the first half of a Swansea game that we really needed something from.

Carles Gil

However, the bold formation he tried in the last two games may actually pay dividends in this one. The real issue is that we are struggling massively with injuries and it could easily be a case of if you're fit (or nearly fit) you play.

The big mystery concerns the invisibility of Carles Gil under the Timbo regime. Clearly something's gone on there.

Do QPR have any famous fans? 
Rumour has it that Wendy James out of Transvision Vamp is a QPR fan (ask your Granddad kids). It's also said that Shane Ritchie follows them so it must hurt like hell when they make him wear a West Ham scarf on Eastenders.

We've got fiddle playing scruffbox Nigel Kennedy.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
“I’ve never known injuries like it. It’s unbelievable.” - Tim Sherwood.

Scott Sinclair and Ashley Westwood were badly missed at Old Trafford and are unlikely to feature here while Alan Hutton won't feature either. No guarantees that Aly Cissokho and Kieran Richardson will be ready either, so we're really struggling and more out-of-position shenanigans are unavoidable.

Who's playing for them?
Eduardo Vargas is buggered after suffering a knee injury during QPR’s 4-1 win at West Brom. Nico Krancjar replaced him in that game but Junior Hoilett will be pushing for a recall.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

Billy Walker

• QPR have beaten us 23 times while we have 18 wins. There have been 13 draws.

• QPR last won at Villa Park in a League Cup tie in 2008. Damion Stewart got the only goal.

• QPR have never won at Villa Park in the Premier League. The visitors last won in March 1992, when a Les Ferdinand strike secured a 1-0 win.

• Our first ever meeting was an FA Cup match in January 1920. We won 2-0 with a brace from Billy Walker on his Villa debut.

Prediction
Going for a 3-0 Villa win.