The Dugout Discussion – Tuesday

Gameweek 31 comes to its conclusion this evening as two of the bottom four go head-to-head in a proverbial six-pointer at Villa Park. Both sides go into this one hampered by a number of injuries, with the hosts looking to bounce back from their weekend loss at United and clinch a vital victory that would take them six points clear of the drop zone.

Christian Benteke is the man in form for Tim Sherwood’s side after taking his tally to four goals in as many matches with a consolation at Old Trafford. Strike partner Gabby Agbonlahor has notched three times over the same period and will always be confident of breaching a backline with a single shut-out in their last 12 matches.

QPR, meanwhile, roll up to the midlands on the back of a stunning 4-1 win over West Brom at the weekend. A victory tonight would see Chris Ramsey’s men overtake Villa and plunge Sherwood’s side into the bottom three, with Charlie Austin and co. full of confidence after their Hawthorns demolition.

Having scored both goals in a 2-0 triumph over the midlands side earlier in the season, Austin will be confident of adding to the 15-point haul accrued against the Baggies. The likes of Matty Phillips and Bobby Zamora also picked up the points on Saturday and have proven decent cut-price options for the double ahead of tonight’s encounter against a defence that have kept out their opponents once in their last 11 league matches.