2021-22 Premier League Betting Preview – Aston Villa

Aston Villa 2021-22 betting odds & predictions

Bjorn Engels / Aston Villa ©IMAGO / Action Plus 04/01/2020

Aston Villa 2021-22 Premier League Preview
Can Villa finish in the top half?

After surviving relegation by the skin of their teeth at the end of the 2019-20 season, many had Aston Villa down for another year of struggle last term. However, it was anything but for Dean Smith’s Villans, who went on to collect a more than respectable 55 points and finish in 11th spot.

Keeping England star Jack Grealish at Villa Park will be high on Smith’s priority list over the summer. The Aston Villa captain has been linked with several of the big boys. The Villa boss will also want to add one of two new faces to his squad. Read on for the latest odds and tips in our in-depth Aston Villa 2021-22 Premier League betting preview.

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2020-21 Review: Villans make stunning start

Aston Villa were quick out of the blocks last term, winning four of their opening four to go second in the Premier League. On matchday three, the Midlands outfit pulled off one of the shock results of the season when they put seven past champions Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s men had no answer for Ollie Watkins’ brilliance, as the England international helped himself to a first-half hat-trick – John McGinn, Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish (2) were also on the scoresheet in the 7-2 romp.

In November, Villa picked up an impressive 3-0 win at Arsenal, but that was their only victory in five, losing the other four. Before 2020 ended, the Villans found some form again, securing wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace in December. They made an indifferent start to 2021, winning four, drawing one and losing five of their opening ten in the Premier League.

Our betting prediction:
Aston Villa to beat Watford
21/20

Bet at Paddy Power

 

(odds taken 1649 GMT, Friday 9 July)

 
One point from games against Manchester United, Everton and Palace in May put paid to their top-half hopes. However, Smith’s troops ended an excellent season with back-to-back wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, which just proved how far they had come in 12 months.

Aston Villa finished on 55 points after 16 wins, seven draws and 15 defeats from 38 games. The season before, they survived on the final day of the season with just 35 points to their name.

Our betting prediction:
Aston Villa to finish in the top ten
5/4

Bet at 22Bet

 

(odds taken 1645 GMT, Friday 9 July)

 

 

2021-22 Fixtures: Trip to Watford on opening weekend

Aston Villa’s 2021-22 Premier League season kicks off with a trip to Vicarage Road to face Xisco Munoz’s Watford. They face another newly promoted team in the shape of Brentford on matchday three, with a home match against Newcastle United sandwiched in between. The next month or so will be tough, as Villa take on Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham and Arsenal before the end of October.

On Boxing Day, Villa welcome Chelsea to Villa Park for the second meeting between the pair. Last season, the Villans beat Thomas Tuchel’s men in the final fixture of the campaign. 2022 starts with a trip to face the Bees at the Brentford Community Stadium. Their toughest test of the season comes right at the death, as Villa travel to the Etihad Stadium to play Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on the last day.

Aston Villa Key Facts

  • Only four clubs have won more FA Cups
  • Aston Villa survived by just one point in the 2019-20 season
  • Last term was their highest finish since the 2010-11 campaign
  • The Villans have been English champions seven times

 

Villa Transfer News: Can they keep Grealish at Villa Park?

Aston Villa have re-signed Ashley Young, who arrived on a free from Inter Milan. Young, a former England international, was a real fans’ favourite during his first stint with Aston Villa. Although not quite the same player these days, Young’s experience could be vital for the Villans. Emi Buendia impressed at Norwich City, and Aston Villa won the race for his signature. Buendia signed a five-year deal for a club record £38m fee, outbidding Arsenal in the process.

Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Heaton, Neil Taylor and Bjorn Engels have all departed, with one or two potentially moving on before the season gets underway. Man City are the 8/15 favourites to sign Grealish, but the skipper is 11/8 to stay at Villa Park. Aston Villa have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Arsenal youngster Emile Smith-Rowe. They reportedly had a £30m bid rejected by the Gunners in June.

Who Are the Villans’ Biggest Challengers: Can Villa finish in the European spots?

Aston Villa looked a good bet to finish in the top half of the Premier League table last season. Inconsistency cost them in the end, but they certainly shocked a few with a number of high-quality performances. Aston Villa will have European aspirations like several teams this season, but who will be their biggest challengers?

Leeds United Preview: Can Leeds kick on under Bielsa?

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were one of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season. After winning the 2019-20 Championship title, United were back in the big time for the first time since 2004. They started well and never looked back.

Leeds finished just three points away from the European spots last season. They have a real togetherness in the team and no lack of talent. The Yorkshire side will no doubt be pushing for another top-half finish this year.

Leicester City Preview: Will the Foxes finish in Europe again?

Since arriving from Celtic, Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at the King Power Stadium. The ex-Liverpool manager has almost taken the Foxes into the UEFA Champions League twice, missing out on the final weekend in each of the last two seasons. However, they did beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final last term.

Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho struck up an excellent partnership, while the likes of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans also impressed. Tielemans has been linked with a move away, but the Foxes have already been busy in the transfer market, bringing Patson Daka to the King Power Stadium, while Ryan Bertrand has agreed to sign.

West Ham United Preview: Another solid season for the Hammers?

Along with Villa and Leeds, David Moyes’ West Ham were also one of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season. The Hammers flirted with the Champions League places for a large chunk of the campaign. Despite missing out on the top four in the end, West Ham finished in sixth and sealed a spot in the UEFA Europa League.

With some new signings, United are more than capable of building on last season’s success. However, keeping star man Declan Rice is a must. Rice has been sensational for the Irons since breaking on to the scene in Stratford, but the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Man City – plus a few others – are all reportedly keeping tabs on the England international.

Everton Preview: How will the Toffees fare under Rafa?

The appointment of Rafa Benitez as the new Everton manager was one of the shocks of the summer so far. The 61-year-old guided Liverpool to Champions League success during his six-year spell at Anfield. As you can imagine, Benitez’s move to Goodison Park was greeted with mixed emotions among the Toffees supporters.

It is all about what happens on the field, though, and Carlo Ancelotti, who left for Real Madrid, built some solid foundations at Goodison. Everton have European hopes before every Premier League campaign, and this season under Benitez will be no different.

Villa players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Another big season for McGinn?

Of course, if Grealish stays, the English international will be Aston Villa’s main man this season. Since breaking on to the scene at Villa Park, Jack has gone from strength to strength. The attacker missed patches of the season through injury last time around, but he will be raring to go in August after an excellent UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.

McGinn’s superb performances for Aston Villa and Scotland have put several of the big clubs on alert. The Scotsman loves a tackle and has become a vital cog in the midfield since making the move from Hibernian in 2018. The Glasgow-born ace will be one to watch out for this term.

Our Aston Villa Predictions: Top ten for Villa?

Aston Villa were one of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season. They made a stunning start and never really looked back. They will be hoping to get off to another winning start when they take on Watford on 14th August.

Aston Villa were just four points away from securing a top-half finish last season. This time, we are backing the Midlands outfit to break into the top ten, which Paddy Power has nicely priced at 5/4.

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