Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa: Preview

04 March 2011 20:49
Bolton manager Owen Coyle has hailed Daniel Sturridge as the kind of rare talent who has fans out of their seats.

Sturridge has enjoyed a whirlwind start to his loan with Bolton from Chelsea, scoring a goal in each of his four games that has sent his stock soaring and had many singing his praises.

The 21-year-old striker this week thanked Coyle for instilling new-found confidence and being allowed to express himself and play his natural game.

Sturridge has been stifled at Stamford Bridge since a #3.5million move from Manchester City in July 2009 due to the calibre and number of forwards ahead of him at Chelsea, such as Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou, and now Fernando Torres.

Coyle believes he is unleashing Sturridge's potential, and so far the Scot has enjoyed being enthralled by the talented youngster.

"First and foremost he is a natural footballer and a terrific goalscorer, but for me he is more than that," said Coyle.

"He has pace, is tricky, is comfortable with both feet, and he is an exciting player.

"He receives the ball and you think 'You know what? Something is going to happen,' which as a manager is great.

"Even as a fan he is the type of player I love watching because all of a sudden you are out of your seat and you are thinking something special could happen.

"He is prepared to go and take people on, which I love as well, and he has just been a terrific acquisition for the club.

"But ultimately Daniel has to continue to keep moving forward, he has to keep progressing, to keep being hungry for the goals, and hungry to improve as a footballer.

"He will know himself there are little bits and pieces where he can improve, and hopefully we can help him achieve that goal."

Coyle has no fresh injury worries for his side's clash with Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium.

Coyle will pick from the same squad of players that was available for last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Newcastle.

Defender Jlloyd Samuel is closing in on a return following a six-month lay-off with a ruptured thigh, but requires at least another reserve game before he can be added to the squad.

Meanwhile, Villa boss Gerard Houllier has defended his team selection for the FA Cup clash at Manchester City after coming under fire from supporters.

Houllier insists he is as "hurt" as the 900 fans who made the trip to Eastlands.

Fans have vented their anger after Houllier made eight changes for the fifth-round clash which City won 3-0.

It followed on from local rivals Birmingham winning the Carling Cup against Arsenal to give their supporters bragging rights in the city.

But Houllier has no regrets about his selection policy as he prepares for the encounter at Bolton.

Houllier said: "We were beaten by a better team than us. With the team that I fielded, first of all it is not just about 11 players and the rest don't exist.

"I want everyone fresh and hungry. The team that played had three international players up front. One (Emile Heskey) had 62 England caps and played in the last World Cup.

"Another one (Gabriel Agbonlahor) was in England's last squad against Denmark.

"The other one (Nathan Delfouneso) scored against Blackburn in the FA Cup this season.

"I had to make changes anyway with Darren Bent cup-tied and Nathan Baker was injured while Robert Pires is 37.

"But I've always made four or five changes for the cup ties and we are devastated to be out of the cup. I wanted to win there. I trust my players to do the job."

Houllier added: "The fans are like me. They are hurt because we lost in the (Carling Cup) quarter-final against Birmingham when we should have won that game.

"But Manchester City is different. In the cups you need luck and drawing Man City away was difficult."

Villa central defender Richard Dunne is ruled out for a month with a dislocated shoulder.

But James Collins has a chance of recovering from a calf injury to face Bolton and would be a ready-made replacement.

Source: DSG