Expect goals to flood in second half between Villa and Arsenal

Manchester City were the latest team to expose Aston Villa’s obvious weakness in the second half of games and 6/5 looks decent value that Arsenal score more goals after the break at Villa Park than in the opening 45 minutes.

This is good news for the special promotion for this game, as if Lukas Podolski scores first or last, as he did in the Champions League against Montpellier, all losing first scorer bets will be refunded as a free bet.

Of Villa’s last 10 games in all competitions, nine have seen supporters treated to more goals after the half-time interval, with the only exception being the home draw with Norwich.

This could make 10/11 a tempting price that there are more total goals scored in the second period.

However, on further inspection, Villa are regularly coming out second best after half-time, with the opposition scoring more than them in six of these nine games.

Even with Theo Walcott absent, Arsenal have enough pace to trouble Villa in the latter stages and it is more than plausible that they will have more success in the second half.

Villa’s woes after the interval also suggests that backing the draw at half time with Arsenal ahead by the final whistle having its appeal at 7/2.

In terms of match betting, Arsenal are 8/11 to take maximum points at Villa Park, which is a ground where they have avoided defeat on each of their 13 Premier League visits.

But this does seem a touch on the short side for a team that have lost on their last two Premier League away days and are far from their best at present.

Therefore, punters may prefer the 21/20 available in the double chance market for Villa gaining a win or a draw.

Alternatively, Villa are 4/1 to collect just a third league victory of the season and 5/2 to earn what would be classified as a useful point as they look to move out of the relegation places.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date