English Premier
2009-12-29 - Aston Villa vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: England, Premier League
Tuesday, 29th December 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
Aston Villa
The Monday Premier League results mean that Aston Villa have fallen out of the top 4 of the division as they look to bounce back from their crushing 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday. That result may have brought many of their fans expectations back to reasonable levels, but Villa did have their chances in that game before the introduction of Cesc Fabregas for the home side, and should still have enough confidence to pick up results.
Villa fell to 5th in the table, only 2 points behind Tottenham with this game to play. They have a 6-2-1 record at Villa Park this season where they have scored 17 goals and conceded only 6. In fact, only Birmingham have conceded less goals at home so far this season.
The defeat at Arsenal was Villa's first in 8 games in all competitions. They have a busy schedule ahead as the FA Cup begins and they also have a Carling Cup Semi Final with Blackburn in the weeks ahead. Villa are unbeaten in 9 games at Villa Park and they have won 4 of their last 5 there.
Ashley Young is suspended for this game. Emile Heskey may also miss out meaning John Carew will get the start.
Liverpool
Liverpool have looked far from convincing in recent weeks and although they managed to beat Wolves 2-0 at the weekend, it looked far from the likely result before Wolves had their left back sent off.
They sit in 8th in the Premier League but are only 7 points from the top 4 finish that was guaranteed by Rafa Benitez 2 weeks ago. They are 3-1-5 away from home this season where they have scored 10 goals and conceded 14. Only Fulham have scored less goals away from home than Liverpool in the top half of the table.
Liverpool have only lost 1 of their last 6 away games in all competitions although they have failed to score in their last 2 games. The Reds have lost 4 of their last 6 away Premier League games.
Albert Aquilani is expected to play as Javier Mascherano continues with his suspension. Dirk Kuyt is also expected to return to the side after being rested at the weekend.
Head to Head
Liverpool had been 16 games unbeaten against Aston Villa at home and away before losing 1-3 at Anfield earlier this season.
Aston Villa have failed to beat Liverpool at home in 12 matches now in all competitions.
The corresponding fixture ended 0-0 last season.
Prediction
Aston Villa may have been stunned by their loss to Arsenal but they did not play that badly. They have had some real success in recent weeks and will be confident they can dent Liverpool here and take another important 3 points.
Liverpool have not played well in recent weeks, and look very short of confidence at the moment. Fernando Torres looks short of fitness and the midfield does not seem to have the same creativity since the departure of Alonso in the Summer.
I favoured Aston Villa heavily before the weekends results for this match. While the result against Arsenal has given me some doubts, I also was less than impressed with Liverpool. I can see this being a low scoring game so would not put anyone off with playing under 2.5 goals. However, I am going to take Aston Villa to take the 3 points here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Aston Villa 1-0 Liverpool
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Aston Villa to WIN (main bet)Consider Under 2.5 Goals
