Aston Villa v Wigan: Strugglers to share spoils

Two sides in turmoil meet at Villa Park hoping that the end of the calendar year brings about an end to their current misfortune.

Wigan have lost five of their last six games and find themselves in customary relegation danger, while Villa have taken Christmas cheer to the extreme, handing out 12 goals in their last two games in an extraordinary demonstration of generosity. They’re 5/4 to put a stop to this and get a much-needed win over the Latics next.

Roberto Martinez’s men are equally as desperate for three points and can be backed to get them at 11/5. They will arrive in the second city buoyed by an excellent record at Villa Park where they have lost just once since claiming Premier League status back in 2005.

They’ll be hoping this happy hunting ground is kind to them once more as only three points separate the sides ahead of this massive relegation six-pointer and with both defences playing up goals are surely guaranteed.

Both teams to score pays out at 8/11, while over 2.5 goals to be registered is a 1/1 shot and both should be taken advantage of, especially when you consider the fact that the last four games involving the Villans have amassed an incredible 21 goals.

There are also some very strong prices available when predicting the result assuming that both keepers will be beaten too. The score draw is available at 3/1 alongside 10/3 for a home win with both teams on the scoresheet and 11/2 for the visitors to do the same.

The half markets offer punters the chance to collect as well, assuming recent trends are to be followed. Each of Villa’s last four home games have been all square at the half time whistle and a price of 21/20 for the first half result to be a draw should be backed again here.

Confidence is at a premium for both sides at the minute. With Villa’s top priority being to ensure they don’t ship another hatful of goals you can’t imagine them bombing forward early doors, while Wigan will be content with a point in this one and are unlikely to be all guns blazing either.

This not only makes the price for the first half result to be a draw a strong one, it renders the 9/4 for the full time result to be level worth a punt as well.

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