English FA CUP
2012-01-07 - Bristol Rovers vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : England : FA Cup
Saturday, January 7th, 2012, 5:30PM GMT
PREVIEW
After leading Birmingham to a Cup win last year, Alex McLeish will try to take another Birmingham based club all the way. One step at a time, and this Saturdays live evening game sees Villa travel to Bristol to try and get past the Rovers. Should be easy, at least in theory.
Following a stunning 3-1 win over Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge (Villa were 1-0 down to start) the Villains then lost at home to Swansea, a side that has never won away in the Premier League. Seems a bit up and down, but Villa clearly have the talent to thump inferior sides, and they have a proven trophy winning coach, so this puts the team in a great bounce back situation.
Now, Bristol are at home, but that is where their advantage ends. While Villa have an excellent coach who can get them in the right frame of mind, the Rovers have no one. Manager Paul Buckle was sacked in midweek as the team continues its slump down League Two. Bristol have lost 4 on the trot and they lie 19th and completely stripped of any confidence.
Villa will know they could thump Bristol by more than just a goal too, and the earlier the first arrives, the worse it's going to get for the Rovers. Bristol shipped 8 goals in their last 2 home games, and not to good sides either (Crewe and Plymouth).
Bristol have not won a league game since the last week of October and have dropped 6 of their last 8. Meanwhile, Villa have not lost any of their last 4 away games, winning 2 of them, 1 of which was that fantastic end to 2011 in West London.
BETTING VERDICT
Had Aston Villa thumped Swansea, you could have suggested a bit of overconfidence here which presents a chance at an upset. But Villa come here looking to make amends for their last match and they will surely book their place in the next round with ease.
The Pick :
Aston Villa
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Aston Villa -1.5AH @ 2.40 (Pinnacle)
