Man Utd v Aston Villa: Red Devils to fill boots in basement boys battering

Aston Villa take their leaky defence to Old Trafford where they’re in for a battering, but Wigan’s defeat at West Ham means it won’t matter.

Having failed to keep a clean sheet in 22 successive outings, even the most optimistic of Villa supporters will resist the urge to punt on their side, even at the dizzying price of 19/2. Manchester United are, obviously, monster favourites to win and, at 1/4, a bet on them will be as good as printing money, while the draw, like the away win, is a throw-away punt at 5’s.

For all those lacking the fiscal war chest required to make a decent return on backing the home win, the handicap markets offer the best source of value on this one.

A Manchester United win after giving Villa a two-goal head start pays out at a very generous 6/4 and, seeing as though home goals are a guarantee given the Villans’ shocking defensive record, this looks an exceptional bet.

Manchester City are the only side to have scored Premier League goals at the Theatre of Dreams since Jay Rodriguez’ third-minute strike in Southampton’s 2-1 defeat by the Red Devils. Assuming they can keep Villa quiet, or limit them to one goal, you have to fancy them to put a few away at the other end.

If Paul Lambert’s side turns in a performance similar to that of which they’ve put in on their previous five league visits to clubs in the current top six then this punt is as good as in. They’ve shipped 20 goals in that time, scoring just four in response and failed to find the net in three of them.

With Robin van Persie back on the goal trail, United don’t look short of striking options and expect them to fill their boots as they draw ever-closer to regaining the Premier League title.

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