ASTON VILLA are going great guns in the Premier League and will be among the favourites for the FA Cup too in recent form.
But they face a tricky potential banana skin at mid-table Championship side Middlesbrough.
Unai Emery's side have been the shock troops of the first half of the season and are very much in with a shout of a shock title success, although they would surely settle for a Champions League spot.
They are one of the great names in FA Cup history – Villa are the sixth most successful club in the long tournament with seven wins, the same as Manchester City,
However, their last success came in 1957 so it's long overdue.
They face Michaerl Carrick's Boro side who were tipped to have a big say in the promotion race this season, but are only 12th out of the 24 clubs in the league.
They've won four of their last six games, but they went down to Coventry City at home on their last outing. In fact, their Riverside home has not been much of a weapon this season with Boro winning six games and losing six games in the Championship this season.
How the bookies view it
Villa are hefty favourites here and are hovering around the 1/2 mark although there is a bit of 3/5 with UniBet.
Middlesbrough are 24/5 with Coral and the draw is 10/3 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
You need to go back five years until when the clubs were both in the same league and Villa won both games home and away 3-0 in the Championship.
In fact, Villa have won six of their last seven meetings at the Riverside.
Players to watch
Middlesbrough's young striker Josh Coburn has scored in his last two matches and has five goals for the season. He is 4/1 to score anytime with bet365.
Super John McGinn has been in outstanding form for Villa this season and seems to actually be getting better. The Scotland hero loves a goal and is an intriguing 9/2 to score anytime with Paddy Power which looks too big.
Anything else catch the eye?
Villa really should have far too much for Boro and can show theirc lass by easing to a win here.
They have no game for eight days after this and will take the tie seriously. Boro have not exactly made the Riverside a fortress this season and the visitors should be backed to win this half time and full time at 7/5 with bet365.
Villa's last two games have been 3-2 thrillers and they are an entertaining team to watch this season. Go for an away win and over 3.5 goals at 11/4 with Paddy Power.
This FA Cup match between Middlesbrough and Aston Villa will be played on Jan 6, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
