WATFORD vs ASTON VILLA 
Saturday 28thDecember 1500hrs
Football – England Premier League
Pick Watford AH-0.25
Bookmaker Betfred
Odds: 1.73 (odds taken 01:48 GMT, 28 December )
A quick turnaround in fixtures in the Premier League sees further action from the top flight on Saturday and our next preview features the clash between Watford and Aston Villa as the betting tips continue at Vicarage Road.
Watford vs Aston Villa Live Stats & Betting Odds
Watford Prediction – Can Watford continue recovery?
Since Nigel Pearson took over the reigns at Vicarage Road with Watford, The Hornets have suffered just one defeat from his first four matches in charge, which was an understandable 2-0 defeat away at Liverpool, but even then they gave a good account of themselves.
Points picked up in draws with Crystal Palace 0-0 and their 1-1 draw with Sheffield United away from home on Boxing Day along with an impressive 2-0 home win against Manchester United has given Watford renewed hope and belief in their battle against relegation, and the visitors now sit second from bottom in the Premier League but still 6 points behind fourth from bottom side, West Ham.
However, another win for Watford here and this deficit could be slashed in half and their recent upturn in results under manager, Pearson, suggests that the hosts look a decent bet to add to their points tally at Vicarage Road this Saturday afternoon.
The return of their talisman, Troy Deeney, up front also shouldn’t be under-estimated as his influence is a vital component at Watford, and he’ll be keen to improve Watford’s current home record which stands at 1-4-4 6/13.
Aston Villa Prediction – Can Aston Villa climb out of bottom three?
Despite recording a narrow 1-0 home win against fellow relegation strugglers, Norwich City, at Villa Park on Boxing Day, it wasn’t enough to drag Aston Villa down into the bottom three of the Premier League ahead of another crucial relegation battle at Watford this Saturday.
The damage was done in a recent 4-match losing streak as the west midlands club suffered defeats to Chelsea, Leicester City, Sheffield United and Southampton, and although the win against Norwich City was certainly very welcome and desperately needed, their chances of recording back-to-back wins at Watford appear slim.
The visitors are without an away win from their last 5 matches on the road and indeed an away record of 1-1-7 12/19 includes just the one win on their travels to date, that being a 5-1 win away from home against the same opponents, Norwich City, at Carrow Road earlier in the season.
It must be pointed out though that Aston Villa possess an extremely poor record away from home in the top flight and one that has seen Villa pick up just 1 win out of their last 27 matches on their travels in the Premier League.
Key-Facts – Watford vs Aston Villa
- Watford have lost just 1 of their last 4 matches overall in the EPL
- Aston Villa are without an away win from their last 5 matches on the road
- Aston Villa have won just 1 of their last 27 away matches in the EPL
Betting Tips Verdict
Watford’s renewed self-belief and confidence should get them over the line against Villa here.
