Aston Villa vs West Brom: Villa to take the Midland bragging rights
Published:West Brom’s dismal away record in Midland derbies is set to continue as they travel to an Aston Villa side keen to quickly put behind them their opening their Premier League defeat of the season on their latest outing.
Villa looked out of sorts as they were put to the sword by table-toppers Manchester City, but at least have the chance to return to winning ways against one of their most favoured opposition.
Aston Villa have only lost once against West Brom in the Premier League era and never at home, with the Baggies’ last victory at Villa Park coming in the League Cup in 1982.
It is 10/11 in the Premier League odds that Aston Villa take the three points and they have lost just two of their last 16 top-flight matches, spanning into the latter part of last season.
West Brom have only triumphed on one of their last 12 trips across the Midlands, but may be buoyed by the fact they can leap above their rivals in the Premier League standings with a victory.
Meanwhile, there is also the argument that West Brom are playing the better football at present and therefore create more opportunities.
Villa have become somewhat draw specialists this season and as West Brom will probably be more than happy with a point, the 12/5 on offer that the game ends all square could prove profitable.
Correct scoreline betting could also reap rich rewards from the fixture, as the last four meetings and five of the last six have been won 2-1 by either team.
With the hosts triumphing 2-1 in the last two showdowns at Villa Park, backing this result may be lucrative, while it is 28/1 for the scorecast of Villa winning 2-1 and the in-form Gabby Agbonlahor scoring the opening goal.
