Aston Villa vs Newcastle 100411
Premier League betting – Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Aston Villa vs Newcastle betting odds, tips & free bets
Aston Villa: League Position: 16th, League Form: DWLLD
A turbulent season will come to an end without success whatever happens from here on for Villa, but from years of competing for places in Europe they now find themselves fighting relegation. The serious prospect of going down will force a reaction from Gerard Houllier’s side, and their fate may be decided by whether it’s positive or negative. They’re only two points above next week’s opposition West Ham, who are in 18th, and are in desperate need for the three points on offer.
A squad with their individual strength would never have been predicted to have sank so low throughout the season, but they are where they are. Eight games since a clean sheet, 21 since a no score draw, the defence cannot support the attack. But with players like Agbonlahor, Downing, Ashley Young, Darren Bent, and even John Carew before he left on loan, the low total of six league goals for their top league scorer (A. Young) is surprising. Whereas before they were scoring enough to cover defensive lapses, and putting more pressure on the opposition’s backline, now they are vulnerable. They have dropped more points (23) from winning positions than any other team, and would be third in the league table with those additional points. Villa have also conceded more goals from corners (13) and more headed goals (also 13) than any other team in the Premier League, and these are clearly the signs of a struggling, inconsistent side.
Newcastle: League Position: 9th, League Form: WDLLW
Newcastle travel to Villa Park for the first time since their infamous relegation from the Premier League was confirmed 23 months ago. Whereas before their last game they looked uncertain in their league position again, a resounding 4-1 victory at home to Wolves last weekend has pretty much crushed any fears of relegation. Their manager Alan Pardew believes “one win and a couple of draws” will secure their safety, and it’s hard to argue that 44 points would keep them up.
The problem for them this weekend is missing players. They will be without top scorer Kevin Nolan (12), the impressive and combative midfielder Cheik Tiote and a few others. Their strike force, diminished since the sale of Andy Carroll, will be without Leon Best for the rest of the season, leaving them with only Ranger, Ameobi, Lovenkrands and Kuqi. Not highly impressive unless on their best game. Their only fitness positive is the return of another impressive performer, and rumoured transfer target of many sides, Jose Enrique.
Match Prediction: Aston Villa Win – 1.91 Stan James
Although Villa were smashed 6-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Newcastle have lost their two top scorers, no longer have home advantage and don’t have the same desperate need for points as Villa.
The positives for Aston Villa are the improvement of late, unluckily missing out on three points after an away draw against Everton, and their undoubted quality. Ashley Young, Darren Bent and Stewart Downing have all performed well for England recently, and further form from them and they will be hard to see going down.
Newcastle did look very good and very motivated last week against Wolves, but being robbed of Nolan and Tiote is a huge blow to their midfield. The goals missing from their team with no Nolan and of course No Carroll, who had 23 goals this season for the club between them, will take a lot to replace, especially for a makeshift strike team. They’ve won as many games away from home as they have at St James’ Park, but their defensive record is less than great, conceding nearly double as many as they have scored.
A defeat here for Villa will really put them into danger, especially with such a highly important away game next weekend and the relatively good form of most of the teams fighting relegation.
Although Bent has only goal less in half the games Ashley Young has played, but Young takes penalties, will likely play in behind the striker, and is nearly double the price.
Highlighted Bets:-
Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.91 William Hill
First Goalscorer: Ashley Young – 8.5 Victor Chandler
Correct Score: 2-1 Aston Villa Win – 9.00 Sky Bet
By Chris Wilkerson
