SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 6 hrs 51 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
WL
Premier League | Gameweek 20
Dec 28, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
AV

3-0

Deeney (42', 67' pen.), Sarr (71')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Pearson looking for home advantage to count against Villa

:Headline: Pearson looking for home advantage to count against Villa: ID:384207: from db_amp
Nigel Pearson has hinted Watford could bring in more reinforcements in January.

Nigel Pearson is hopeful Watford can make the most of home advantage when they host relegation rivals Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Hornets moved off the bottom of the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on Boxing Day to back up the impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester United last Sunday.

Villa, meanwhile, claimed a 1-0 win at basement club Norwich, although they are still in the relegation zone at the halfway point of the campaign.

After entertaining Dean Smith's side, who are five points better off than Watford, Pearson's team will welcome Wolves to Vicarage Road on January 1.

He said: "We have got a run of home games coming up now and I don't know how people see them, but they are all tough.

"We have got to try and emulate certainly the game last week against Manchester United in terms of creating a really good atmosphere at the ground and we need to win more games."

Pearson, 56, has plenty of respect for rival manager Smith, who similarly earned his shot in the top flight after winning promotion from the Championship.

While the Villa boss has just come through a tricky period where his side struggled for wins, he earned praise from Watford's head coach.

"I think he has done a really good job and he is a very likeable man," Pearson added.

"Obviously, they are having a few problems this year, but he is someone I have a lot of respect for and I know he will be working hard to make sure their own season remains on the right lines."

The Hornets will welcome Abdoulaye Doucoure back for the clash with Villa after he missed the encounter at Sheffield United due to a one-match ban for receiving five yellow cards in the Premier League this season.

He is expected to replace Nathaniel Chalobah, but Watford remain without Jose Holebas (ankle), Tom Cleverley (heel), Danny Welbeck (hamstring), Sebastian Prodl and Daryl Janmaat (both knee).

New signing Joao Pedro is ineligible to make his debut until January and Pearson is tempted to bring in more reinforcements when the winter transfer window opens.

"We have lost a bit of depth in the squad just because we have a number of senior players – who have been regulars I think – who have been out, so it will be a bonus to get them back," he said.

"It coincides with January as well and I'm not discounting that we might – as a club – freshen it up, but those discussions are ongoing.

"At this moment in time it's about managing the fixture congestion and keeping the players we've got available as fresh as possible and continuing with our fight to find a way of getting out of the bottom three."

amp_article__384207 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-12-27 17:38:26:
html db last update - 2021-03-09 06:36:51 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Nigel Pearson

Click here for more stories about Aston Villa

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .