Big Night at the Bottom

Bolton (or more likely Bolton reserves) play in Lisbon tomorrow, but tonight there are vital clashes involving teams at the bottom of the table. Aston Villa host Middlesbrough. The Smoggies looked to have got themselves out of trouble, but after a home defeat against Reading they`re right back in the mix. A dismal performance against Cardiff in the FA cup can`t have helped morale. Villa have a problem in central defence, due to injuries and Martin O`Neill is starting have regrets about selling Gary Cahill to Bolton.

‘If we’d known this then the situation of letting Gary Cahill go might have arisen,” he told the BBC. If O`Neill had seen the goal that Cahill gifted Liverpool last week, or the penalty he conceded at Blackburn, the Irishman might not be so remorseful. Not that Cahill hasn`t performed well on the whole, but it goes to show what a vital position a centre-half occupies.

Birmingham visit Portsmouth, who are probably still celebrating after turning over Manchester United at the weekend. Batter Portsmouth, lose to them. Been there, done that. If Pompey aren`t embarrassed about the result at the Reebok, they should be. Take Matt Taylor back and we might see our way to forgiving you.

The other match is insignificant. Derby are fifteen points adrift of Bolton and not even Gary Megson can mess a margin of that size up. Hopefully Chelsea will use the Rams as target practice as they have a trip to Sunderland at the weekend where victory is required. We let you have Anelka remember. A bit of gratitude wouldn`t go amiss.