A potentially pivotal showdown in the race for Champions League qualification takes place in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, as Aston Villa take on Tottenham Hotspur.
Unai Emery’s hosts are currently housed in fourth place with a five point buffer over fifth-placed Spurs, though the capital club have played one game fewer.
After enduring a bit of a sticky patch at the start of 2024, Aston Villa have got their quest for Champions League qualification back on track thanks to a trio of top-flight victories, most recently winning 3-2 at Luton, on an evening where my main bet copped at Kenilworth Road.
Aston Villa go into this crunch clash off the back of a drab 0-0 draw with Ajax in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening.
As for Tottenham, they produced a late rally to put London rivals Crystal Palace to the sword in a 3-1 success last Saturday.
As such, Ange Postecoglou’s side still have their top four destiny in their own hands and they can take a big step towards securing a place at Europe’s top table next term by triumphing at Villa Park on Sunday.
Outright Betting
Aston Villa claimed top honours in November’s reverse fixture and they are marginal 11/8 (William Hill) favourites to repeat the trick on Sunday.
Tottenham, who have lost just once in the Premier League in 20204, are narrow 13/8 (Ladbrokes) outsiders while a point apiece at Villa Park pays out at 16/5 (William Hill).
Betting Angles
With an action-packed encounter anticipated on Sunday afternoon, I’m going to make use of the Bet Builder feature and bundle up Both Teams to Score and John McGinn to commit a foul at even-money on Bet 365.
Goals at both ends has been a recurring theme in Aston Villa games this season, with each team obliging in 19 of the hosts' 27 top-flight tussles this term, including five of their last six outings.
As for Tottenham, they have seen BTTS bank in a league-high 21 of their 26 Premier League matches this season, one of which was when these two sides locked horns in North London earlier this season.
Therefore, given that neither team are renowned for being watertight, coupled with both of their respective strengths lying in attacking areas, I’m more than happy to back both teams to score at Villa Park on Sunday.
The BTTS selection can be given an enticing boost in price to evens (Bet 365) by backing John McGinn to commit a solitary foul in what is sure to be an intense midfield battle.
The Villa skipper is averaging 1.2 fouls per-game in the Premier League this season, clocking up no fewer than 3 misdemeanours in last Saturday’s 3-2 success at Luton.
With that in mind, the 7/4 on Bet 365 for John McGinn to commit two or more fouls here also holds plenty of appeal.
The Scotsman has tackled his way into trouble twice or more in four of his last seven Premier League appearances at Villa Park and that trend could continue in a high-stakes affair loaded with top four jeopardy.
This English Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur will be played on Mar 10, 2024 and kick off at 13:00. Check below for our tipsters best Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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