Big game, opportunity and hopefully a reason for optimism

There is a match today and it's one I'd like to think we can win. Sheffield Wednesday will think they can win too, but we've got better players and we're at home.

If we do and we look back to last season, the first full season the manager had at Aston Villa, we'd be seven points better off after nine games. Can't really complain at that can you if it happens.

But if we do win, I'm sure some will complain and for sure, if we lose they will. But will they be thinking that compared to last season, if we lose, we'll still be four points better off after nine games? Probably not.

But if we win, there will be a group that are also happy and optimistic. If we win today and if that trend continues, we'll be in with a shout of automatic promotion. I know, it's not winning the League and the FA Cup, so the manager should be sacked, but it's better than his first full season.

And we've reason to be optimistic after the last result. I'm going into this game thinking we're going to see another win. I'm putting money on John McGinn to score today and I hope that later we have a feeling of optimism and support and hope. Instead of the anger and frustration that we're not playing in the Champions League because the last owner said we would.

So, that written, I'm looking forward to it and that starts with a bacon and egg sandwich and the papers. Until 3pm, I'll be not looking at the comments below, because I want to feel positive. I'll be back during the match.

Pre-match interview

Match facts from the BBC

• Since the start of last season, Villa have lost just one of their 16 home league matches played on a Saturday - but that 2-1 defeat was against Sheffield Wednesday in November 2017.
• Wednesday, who will be making their 67th league trip to Villa Park, have only won once in their last five away league games.
• Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia has scored three goals in his last two league matches against Sheffield Wednesday.
• Including play-off matches, Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has won nine of his 13 league matches as a manager against Sheffield Wednesday.
• As a player, Bruce famously scored two injury-time goals against Wednesday to win Manchester United their first Premier League title in April 1993.