Aston Villa v Chelsea: Unlikely source for Blues’ goals expected
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It may have been very much a case of ‘job done’ for Jose Mourinho when his Chelsea side avoided giving up any ground against Manchester City last week, but as they prepare to take on an out-of sorts Aston Villa, nothing short of a win will do.
Priced up at 4/11 to bring all three points back from the West Midlands, the bookmakers are expecting a relatively straightforward success for the league leaders, with Villa given big odds of 9/1, and the draw at 7/2.
And while an away victory will probably form the backbone of many an acca this weekend, there are three better value bets to be had at Villa Park.
In front of goal Aston Villa have been woeful of late. Their 5-0 reverse to Arsenal last weekend was the sixth straight Premier League tie in which they have failed to find the net.
With Chelsea keeping a clean sheet in eight of their last 11 top-flight matches, their wait may go on to add to their ‘goals for’ column.
However, it’s probably hoping a bit too much to be expecting another quintet of goals to go against them. The Blues will be without Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas for this, so will be without some key attacking players.
They have netted two or three goals in 60% of their league matches this season, so taking a punt on one of these correct scores could be shrewd.
As we are expecting a clean sheet for the away side, in theory all they need to do to win this bet is score in both halves.
The Pensioners have found the net in both halves in four of their last six away games and with them going in at half-time in the lead in 58% of their games in all competitions this season, a bet for them to outscore their hosts in both halves looks solid value.
In a team with the wealth of attacking riches that Chelsea possess, it may seem strange for us to be tipping up one of their defenders to score.
But, quite simply put, their Serbian full-back loves finding the net against Villa.
In his last six Premier League appearances against Paul Lambert’s men he has found the net four times and with a brace of goals and numerous shooting opportunities to his name this season, is a big price.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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