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Without the services of several key players, Aston Villa will need to be on their A game as they travel up to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
For this week’s opposition’s view, I’ve drafted in @wednesdayite writer @pahowl.
Are you happy with the business Sheffield Wednesday did in the transfer window?
We only signed one player, Joey Pelupessy and he looks to be a good prospect. With manager Jos Luhukay only coming in on the 5th January our injury list has meant he has not really been able to establish what/who we need. We also have our hands tied with the FFP rules and need to get some players off the payroll before we bring anyone else in.
Since Wednesday beat Villa in November, they’ve only won twice in the Championship. What’s been going wrong?
Injuries! We currently have 13+ first team players injured, so it has been difficult to have a settled side.
Do you think the FA Cup run has hindered the Owls league form, or has it been a welcome distraction?
Our league season is virtually over, with no chance of play offs and being, hopefully, far enough in front of those at the bottom, the cup run has been a welcome distraction. The TV ties have helped us financially too, hopefully this will help ease the FFP pressures.
Who has been your standout performer this season and why?
Joe Wildsmith, our second-choice young keeper who has been Kieran Westwood’s replacement since he got injured around Christmas. He’s a local lad, sponsored by us (Wednesdayite), and has been on top form.
If you could, which past Owls player would you bring into the starting XI?
Most of the 1991-1992 team! But just for his goal scoring ability, David Hirst who played for us between 1986 and 1997(106 league goals on 294 games!) We’re missing someone who can find the back of the net on a regular basis at the moment.
If you were stranded on a desert island with one other Wednesday player, who would it be and why?
Not Hirsty as he would drink us both dry! From the present squad Atdhe Nuhiu; a man mountain of a guy with a very interesting life story, plus he would be able to reach all the coconuts with him standing over 6’ 6”.
Score prediction for Saturday?
Difficult one until we know who will be fit for us, but hopefully we will play like we did against you in the game at Villa park, and more recently against Derby County at home. I’m going 2-0 to us.
Words by Harry Trend (@HazaTrand) // Follow us on Twitter (@claretandview)
