26th Nov 2011 | Football
Swansea v Aston Villa
The negative tactics of the visitors could make for dull viewing. Expect the Swans to get reward for greater enterprise in the end.
After watching a pretty desperate Aston Villa performance on Monday night against Tottenham, there’s little reason to think Swansea can’t maintain their wonderful home form. The newly promoted side only slipped up for the first time at the Liberty Stadium when champions Man Utd came to town. But Sir Alex Ferguson’s seasoned stars will never be mistaken for Alex McLeish’s mediocre bunch.
The Swans have still conceded fewer home goals - just two - than any side in the Premier League. Bolton, Stoke and West Brom have all been beaten by at least a two-goal margin. Sunderland and Wigan failed to find the net in south Wales; it really has been a bit of a fortress.
The down side for Brendan Rodgers’ boys is that they have failed to score in six league matches already this season. If a team comes to ‘park the bus’ in the manner that Villa attempted to do at White Hart Lane, then it may take a while to make a breakthrough. McLeish’s side look woefully short of ideas themselves; the three shots mustered against Spurs was their fewest in a game for six seasons.
It won’t matter that Bent and Agbonlahor are in the Villa ranks if the service to them remains pitiful. I can see them drawing another blank on Sunday, but the hosts should rightfully fancy their chances. It may take a while, so I fancy a punt on ‘half time: draw - full time: Swansea’ at best odds of 5/1 with Ladbrokes.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 01:38 26th Nov, 2011 but subject to change
