ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - ARSENAL V ASTON VILLA

English Premier

2013-02-23 - Arsenal vs Aston Villa

A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Football : England : Premier League
Saturday 23rd February - Kickoff 3:00pm

---

Arsenal

Arsenal have had an awful week losing to Blackburn in the FA Cup and then the first leg comprehensibly to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The games come thick and fast and they are back in action on Saturday at home to struggling Villa.

Wenger's side despite the last 2 cup results have been decent in the league unbeaten in 4 winning 3. This league run came after City and Chelsea inflicted defeats on them so Wenger has at least steadied the ship on the domestic front.

At home the side has won 2 of the last 3, losing once in 6. I draw in 8 league games is an interesting statistic and I see Arsenal going all out on Saturday so a draw seems unlikely.

1 home clean sheet in 5 league games is a worry for Wenger. His side then shipped 3 to Bayern and even Championship Blackburn Rovers scored against them. Going forward Arsenal has scored in 5 of their last 6 home games including 8 in the last 3 at over 2.50 goals a game.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa haven't played since 10th February some 2 weeks ago come kick off on Saturday. Villa occupy 17th place and they have a single point lead from the drop zone so they need a result on Saturday.

Lambert's side beat West Ham last time out to end a winless run of 8 league games. Villa has taken at least a point in 3 of the last 4 so they are improving but if results go against them they could find themselves in the bottom 3 come 5pm on Saturday.

Away from home Aston Villa have drawn the last 3 which will give them confidence ahead of this tough trip to the Emirates. In the last 6 away Villa has lost just once a 8-0 drubbing from Chelsea but 4 have ended in score draws.

5 of the last 6 aways have had both sides scoring going back to November with the Chelsea game the exception. Aston Villa has scored at least 2 goals in 4 of the last 5 away but conceded at least 2 in 4 straight!

Betting Verdict

Arsenal are very short to win this game around 1.30. The Gunners have had a tough week losing 2 in 2 at home and have just 1 clean sheet in 5 league games.

The visitors are fresh, well rested and prepared for this game having had 2 weeks off. Form wise Villa are in good touch losing 1 of the last 6 so for me the value is with them.

A worry however, is that United and Chelsea have combined to beat Villa by 13-0 in the last few months. But Arsenal's circumstances don't convince me that they will give Villa a hiding.

Villa has scored a lot of goals in recent away games so I expect at least 1 on Saturday. Arsenal are always a threat going forward and against this Villa defence they will get chances.

With the visitors having a huge advantage in preparation and rest I'm happy to go against Arsenal and take Villa on the Asian Handicap which is a monster 1.75 goals. The Gunners may take the game but I don't see a blow out at all and worst case a 1 goal Arsenal win.

Good Luck

The Statistics :

The Pick :

---