Rumour has it that Jack is back. It'll make Greg happy and if we try to imaging 5pm and we've won, there will be a group convinced that Jack is the man. He may very well be and we have missed him.
And I'm sorry for my lack of posts this week, it's been busy. I've been away and when back, I've been playing catch up. But it's Saturday and I've got a good feeling.
But John McGinn is suspended for the second game of a two-match ban and you all know I'm a big fan of John McGinn. Him and Jack just started to gel when it all went wrong for us. Now, Jack could shine, but it will be nice to see them both playing together again. It did start to look better.
But today is important. For sure there will be comments about Frank the Bank and John Terry, but it's about starting to win matches. It's easy to say we're not going up this season, but top six is still possible. Not only are there enough games, but teams around us are going to lose. A run starting now will be enough.
It's easy to accept we wont get top six, but it's still possible and it only needs one win right now for us to start believing and it only takes that one win. Players these days just need to know it's possible.
And I want to believe, so I'm going in to this game with optimism and I say why not. It's better than thinking it wont happen. Stats and video below. See you on the other side.
Video
Match facts from the BBC
- After winning 3-0 in this season's reverse fixture, Aston Villa are looking to record a league double over Derby for the first time since 2007-08 (in the Premier League).
- Derby have lost 10 of their past 11 away league games against Aston Villa (D1), with their last such win coming in November 1988 (2-1 in the top flight).
- Aston Villa failed to score in their last home game, a 0-2 defeat to West Brom at Villa Park - they haven't failed in consecutive home league games since September 2017.
- Derby have not lost four consecutive matches in all competitions since November 2011 under Nigel Clough (run of five).
- Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham has scored three goals in three league appearances against Derby - he's only scored more often against Huddersfield Town (4) and Nottingham Forest (5) in English league football.
- Derby's Championship matches during 2019 have seen just 13 goals scored (six scored, seven conceded) - the fewest in the division.