Bottom line is - can Villa beat MCA? Answer - Yes they have the strike power to match up nicely and they are playing at Villa Park which will help.
Will they beat MCA? Answer - most likely no unless they play with a lot more discipline than they have shown so far. Part of that is their rush defence which is dynamic but gives refs lots of excuses to blow the whistle for offside. Before Saturday I said MCA would win and they did. I now predict an undefeated MCA premiership with Villa looming as scary for next year with 9 players returning and a strong age group underneath and a continuation of their strong 2nd XV form.
Prediction of score ? ASH by 10 in a high scoring match - should be a cracker.
Final say - SLC v Villa will be mind blowing last round match if Villa prove me wrong, beat the pundits and roll ASH.
Good input there Vik, your posts have always contained sensible and balanced comments on Villa rugby, and it's been good for the AIC competition to see the gradual improvement of Villa's First XV's over the past few years.
In relation to this year's Villa First XV, are you able to post a team list identifying those boys returning next year?
I certainly agree that 2020 should see MCA, Villa and SLC fighting out the First XV competition but it's probably important to note that MCA will play both rivals at home next year, which will help.
MCA should have 6 boys backing up in the Firsts next year, including in particular Floyd Aubrey, who would be a contender for the best player in this year's competition, and Nick Baker. Their pack will be big, the backs will be sharp so they'll be very hard to beat, particularly at home.
As for the Villa v MCA game this year being a high scoring affair, MCA have not yet conceded a point and as they play SEC this week will probably come into the Villa game with a clean slate.
Villa do appear to have some attacking firepower though, Muir at 15 is obviously very sharp but I think they'll have to win the collisions in both the back row and midfield to get enough tries (at least 2-3) to beat Ash.