Tottenham v Aston Villa: Expect lots of goals and a Spurs win
Published:It wasn’t long ago that Aston Villa looked more likely than Tottenham to be the ones to break up the Big Four, but the two clubs have moved in opposite directions since Spurs earned a place among Europe’s elite in May 2010.
So much so that the Lilywhites are rated 8/15 favourites to triumph in their latest clash at White Hart Lane, an understandable price given that they did the double over Villa last season and have enjoyed five successive home victories.
Aston Villa have only lost twice under Alex McLeish – who was relegated in north London in May – though that owes plenty to having played just two of the top eight and nine of the other dozen. They are winless away and 6/1 to change that.
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Even in their relegation season, McLeish’s Birmingham side retained a reputation for being fairly solid defensively, however he is yet to achieve the same results since moving across the second city.
Villa have shipped ten in four matches, compensating slightly with seven down the other end, and as Spurs have gone six Premier League fixtures without a clean sheet – not losing in that time – this one promises to be entertaining.
Both teams to score and Tottenham to win is an interesting option available at 2/1, while over 3.5 goals – a feature of three of the Lilywhites’ last four as hosts – is another worth considering at 11/8.
Lots of goals obviously means a decent chance of Darren Bent scoring at his former home, a scenario which will mean that you get a refund on any losing first scorer bets (more details).
The England international struck twice in his last meeting with his old employers and, despite having appeared to start the current campaign fairly slowly, boasts a strike rate of five in ten games. He is 5/2 to net, and 8/1 to break the deadlock.
