27th Sep 2012 | Football
Aston Villa v WBA: Scoreline Tip
Six of the last eight PL meetings between these two have ended 2-1 with the Baggies winning by that scoreline last season at Villa Park.
First of all, let me just say that I don’t think the League Cup will have any significant bearing on this Midlands Derby. Manchester City would not have lost to Aston Villa had it been a Premiership match. In the league, the Claret and Blues have taken three points just once in 15 outings (W1 D6 L8). That is very much relegation form.
Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion are enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League campaign with 10 points from 5 fixtures. They sit 4th in the table and a shift in the balance of power is evident in this fixture. Villa were unbeaten in the first 9 PL clashes with their local rivals but have now lost two and drawn one of the last three.
Roy Hodgson led the Baggies to a 2-1 success at Villa Park last season and I don’t see any reason why it couldn’t happen again at best odds of 11/1 with Betfred. Under Steve Clarke there have already been impressive wins over Liverpool and Everton and a commendable draw at Spurs.
Paul Lambert’s new team looked truly lamentable against Southampton last weekend, conceding four second half goals to a newly promoted side. It wasn’t much better against Everton on their own patch a few weeks ago. A good result against an under-motivated Man City only papered over some major cracks.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 22:54 27th Sep, 2012 but subject to change
