Aston Villa v Norwich City Betting Tips: Villans to continue their good form

These two sides were relegated from the Premier League last season and have made a bit of a pig’s ear of trying to get back into the top flight at their first attempt.

Although it is highly unlikely that Villa will sneak into the play-offs, they have actually been on a good run recently with five wins in their last six matches, putting them 12th in the table and well clear of the potential relegation that they previously feared.

The Villans have managed to rectify their previously poor goal-scoring record in the last few weeks as they have scored two or more goals in four of the last five matches. The defensive aspect of their play has not been questioned so much this season, particularly since Steve Bruce’s arrival as manager last year. Their good defensive record shows no sign of faltering with just 39 conceded in 38 overall and a clean sheet in all five of those aforementioned wins.

Villa have had quite a good home record this campaign, losing just twice all season. Unfortunately for them though, there have been too many draws. Having said that, since losing two matches on the spin at Villa Park back in mid-February, Bruce’s men have gone on to win three on the bounce, scoring five and conceding none in the process.

Caretaker manager Alan Irvine is so far unbeaten in his two-match spell as Norwich boss. They did win their last match before the international break against Barnsley but, despite sitting 8th, are still five points off the top six.

Unlike Villa, goals have not been a problem for the Canaries this season and they are the Championship’s third-highest scorers with a very impressive 65 goals in 38 games. Additionally, they have also found the back of the net in each of their last 14 league games. However, defensively they have been weak and have the fifth-worst record in the league with 56 conceded whilst they have also kept just nine clean sheets – only one of those coming in the last nine games.

70% of Norwich’s points have been earned at home which tells you quite a bit about their away form. Irvine has yet to take charge of an away match for his new team but before him they had taken just 17 points from a possible 57 on their travels. Furthermore, they have not won away from Carrow Road in their last four and have recorded just one victory away from home in all competitions since 1st October 2016.

Although the Canaries are unbeaten under Irvine, given Norwich’s poor away record and Villa’s decent home form, particularly recently, you have to make Bruce’s side the favourites here. A simple home win is the bet to go for at a nice  price of 29/20.

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