News and Views
Another Six Pointer As Villa Visit
08 March 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?
We all know the management at Reading FC hate phrases like "six pointer" and "must win", but the run of three straight league defeats including the 0-3 home reverse to relegation rivals Wigan, mean those phrases are more relevant than ever as Aston Villa visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. These are desperate times for Reading and only a win will do if Reading want a realistic chance of Premier League football next season. A defeat for Reading this weekend would see them go four points behind Aston Villa and it could well see the Royals go bottom of the Premier League table. QPR, currently bottom, are at home to Sunderland and will fancy a home victory to follow up their away win at Southampton last weekend. With such a slim goal difference those results could see Reading slip to the very foot of the table.
QPR, having been written off for so long, find themselves with a reasonable chance of survival as they follow up their Sunderland home game with a trip to Aston Villa next weekend. Meanwhile, Reading have to travel to play Manchester United. That's a combination of games that could see either QPR or Aston Villa pull clear of Reading. QPR also have Wigan at home coming up, while Reading still have to face Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City before the end of the season. Looking at the fixture list this weekend's game couldn't be any more important...
Aston Villa aren't in terrible form. They drew away with Everton, beat West Ham United at home before narrow defeats against Arsenal and Manchester City. Earlier this season Reading lost 0-1 at Aston Villa as Villa won with an 80th minute goal.
Reading look set to retain the services of Stuart Taylor in goal after he put in an impressive performance against Everton last weekend. Adam Federici is expected to remain out of action and McCarthy is still out with a long term injury. Last weekend's game for Taylor was his first competitive action since January 2010 when he lined up for Manchester City in the FA Cup - his only appearance for City in three seasons with the club.
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