Aston Villa vs. Tottenham: PL Betting Preview

While it’s easy to get carried away with Tottenham’s demolition of Wigan on Sunday they should be good enough for at least a point at Villa Park this weekend and the home team look on the short side to me.

Villa can be opposed at around the 2.50 mark for the clash on Saturday evening and while this is very much a head-to-head between two Champions League hopefuls I rate Spurs the superior outfit.

Martin O’Neill’s men have probably progressed again this season, they should have maintained their place in the top four last, but the London club have the bit between their teeth at present and, in Jermain Defoe, possess the Premier League’s most in-form striker.

Defoe’s five goals at White Hart Land against the Latics were unexpected but the England forward is enjoying the most prolific spell of his career at present and both Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane are worthy partners whoever gets the nod.

The Spurs strike force is supported excellently by the creative wide duo of Niko Kranjcar and Aaron Lennon and away defeats, albeit heavy ones, at Chelsea and Arsenal so far this season are the only blemishes on their record.

Spurs’ return at White Hart Lane last season was of the highest order but they are a force to be reckoned with on the road these days too and wins at West Ham, Hull City and Portsmouth already this term have boosted the points haul on their travels. Redknapp’s men have bagged 11 goals away from home so far this campaign, only Arsenal and Chelsea have more, and they should find the net in the midlands at least once.

Aston Villa started the season with a heavy shock home defeat to Wigan but they thrived in the following weeks and O’Neill has proved the inspiration once again. Even Emile Heskey scored last time out, the England striker netting the late equaliser at Burnley, but it’s just one win in five top flight matches and finding a breakthrough often proves difficult for the former European Cup winners.

Villa thrashed Bolton in their final outing on home soil but Spurs will prove a different proposition to the north west outfit and the visitors are taken to maintain their three point cushion over Saturday’s opponents by leaving with at least a share of the spoils.

That would probably suit both, as they try to fend off the challenge of Manchester City and Liverpool, and Spurs certainly look like a side to keep on the right side of as we approach the festive period.

1pt Lay Aston Villa @ 2.50 (vs. Spurs) @ 2.50 (Betfair)