Continuing their tour of the USA, Aston Villa will face off with St Louis City at Energizer Park in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Unai Emery’s side got a couple of pre-season friendly run outs under their belt against both Walsall and Hansa Rostock before heading Stateside last week.
Villa have since fulfilled the first friendly fixture of their US tour, playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Frankfurt, in a game that brought up all three of my selections.
The Lions will now look to continue ramping up their preparations for their Premier League opener with Newcastle two weeks from Saturday.
As for St Louis, they are 24 games deep into their MLS season, currently sitting second from bottom in the Western Conference.
David Critchley's side have lost five of their last six league games, most recently slumping to a 2-1 loss at home to Minnesota.
How the bookies view it: Villa set for victory
Aston Villa come into their latest friendly fixture as firm 4/9 favourites with Boylesports. However, bundling up a Villa victory and Over 1.5 Goals will boost the odds to 4/6 with the same firm.
St Louis are as big as 15/4 on Boylesports to take top honours from this exhibition encounter while an all square affair is trading at 10/3.
Head to head: History book blank
Given that the two teams play in different continents, it will come as no surprise to learn that St Louis City and Aston Villa will square off for the first time ever on Thursday.
Players to watch: Ollie on song
Ollie Watkins scored the opening goal of the game during Aston Villa’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. The Villa ace is an eye-catching 4/5 with Bet 365 to get himself on the scoresheet again this midweek.
Joao Klauss is St Louis’ top goalscorer this season, hitting nine goals across all competitions. The Brazilian forward looks a value anytime goalscorer option here at 12/5 with Bet 365,
Predicted line-ups
Joakim Nilsson and Rasmus Alm have missed the last couple of months due to injury and neither player is expected to return to the St Louis squad this week.
There has been intense speculation in recent weeks regarding the future of Emiliano Martinez, who was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Frankfurt.
St Louis: Burki; Totland, Baumgartl, Yaro, Orozco; Wallem, Teuchert, Ostrak; Hartel, Klauss, Beche
Aston Villa: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, McGinn; Malen, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Anything else catch the eye?
Aston Villa look well worthy of support to score three or more goals on Thursday morning at 13/10 with Boylesports.
As already alluded to, St Louis have struggled for form this season, something that can be attributed to them conceding goals at an alarming rate.
The hosts have shipped three or more goals in four of their last seven matches in MLS, so a minimum of three Villa strikes looks like an attractive option here.
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