"The season so far has been a negative, and right now I need two positives, one to cancel the negative and one...well...to feel positive again," O'Leary didn't almost said as he spoke of "getting past 40 points". The Villa boss will be hopeful that the return of Mellberg from a hamstring injury and ten-goal Baros following an ankle problem will improve the club's flagging fortunes. Villa are currently languishing in 16th place in the Premiership with 35 points, having won only once in their previous eight matches in all competitions - and have an ominously poor record at Highbury, having lost there on their last seven visits. It should be a corker.
