Express & Star

Bolton v Aston Villa: Dean Smith's side target win No.9 as Trotters grab lifeline

You would struggle to find two clubs where the mood has been so contrasting in recent weeks than Villa and Bolton.

Published

While Villa are once more alive with optimism courtesy of their blistering eight-game winning run, tomorrow’s hosts have lurched from one crisis to the next.

Yesterday’s announcement of Laurence Bassini’s takeover – subject to EFL approval – will hopefully herald a brighter future.

But for the moment the Trotters sit on the brink of relegation back to League One just two seasons on from promotion.

A campaign of chaos has seen them avoid administration by the skin of their teeth and twice appear in court over an unpaid tax bill.

Both playing and non-playing staff have still not been paid their wages for March, nearly three weeks after they were due.

In such circumstances, the task for Villa boss Dean Smith is to ensure his players don’t lose focus for what would appear a glorious chance to record a club record equalling ninth league win in a row.

Smith said: “We have to make sure there is no complacency and we keep talking about that.

“The players keep going and putting in performances and we have to do that again on Friday.

“I just have to make sure their focus is right. Attitude and application are the two key words we use around this place.”

He continued: “Bolton have had a lot of off-field issues to deal with and I think (their manager) Phil Parkinson is to be commended for the way he has handled everything. We have just to concentrate on what we can control.”

Smith believes the return of several key players to fitness – most notably Jack Grealish – has been key to Villa’s resurgence.

Tommy Elphick is the latest to emerge from the treatment table, with the defender having missed six weeks with a foot injury.

With Kortney Hause also expected back after the Easter weekend, Villa are heading toward the business end of the campaign close to full strength.

“There has always been a competitive edge in training,” said Smith. “But we now we have a lot of players coming back from injury, there is competitiveness just to get on the bench, let alone the team. It is giving me some really nice problems to have.”

Smith has, meanwhile, reiterated his belief Villa will be compliant with profit and sustainability rules this season.

Reports have claimed Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is demanding the EFL look into Villa’s financial conduct. But Smith said: “Is there anything for us to be concerned about? I don’t believe so.

“I haven’t seen any quotes attrubted to the chairman who’s meant to have said it.

“It’s out of my remit, but my chief executive says that we are fully compliant.”

Likely line-up:

Likely line-up

Subs: Elphick, Jedinak, Whelan, Lansbury, Davis, Green, Sarkic (gk).

Bolton (3-5-1-1): Matthew, Wilson, Wheater, Beevers, Olkowski, Williams, Connell, O’Neil, Noone, Ameobi, Magennis.