Aston Villa have started this season terribly, after many people predicted they would do very well this season, me included. They can’t afford to have too many more bad results, because playing catch up in the Championship is very difficult. They need to work hard and find a way to win before it is too late for their promotion chances.
English Championship – Saturday 19th August / 15:00
Aston VillaBest Odd of: 7/5 at Ladbrokes |
Draw Best Odd of: 2 at Betway |
NorwichBest Odd of: 23/10 at Sky Bet |
Norwich are also expected to challenge for promotion and so far they have started ok. This game has the makings of a very good game and it will be fascinating to see how Aston Villa perform at home in front of their own fans.
Aston Villa Form
What a terrible start it has been for Aston Villa, they have picked up just one point from their first three games. That is clearly not good enough and things need to change, but Villa do have enough experience at the club to be able to do that.
The only game Villa have picked anything up was their opening game at home to Hull. In parts they looked pretty good in that game, but only managed a 1-1 draw after conceding in the second half. Since then they haven’t been as good and they were very poor in their 3-0 loss away at Cardiff. They were better, but only marginally away to Reading on Tuesday, and something needs to change very soon.
The next few weeks are going to be fascinating following Aston Villa and who knows how they will play and what will happen at the club.
Norwich Form
Norwich began their season with a good away point against Fulham, who are expected to challenge at the top of the table. After that they went back home to face Sunderland in a game they had high hopes of winning. However, they were outplayed by Sunderland and finished losing that game 3-1.
They bounced back in the right fashion on Wednesday, beating QPR 2-0 at home and that was a much more convincing performance by them, and hopefully one they can build on. Norwich have been up and down early in the season, and they need to try their best to string together a few good results to really kick start their campaign.
I am expecting to see Norwich turn into a more consistent team, and that will aid their move up the table.
Team News
I am not too sure what Aston Villa are going to do in this game after three poor results and three games without a win. They do have experience in their line-up and those players are going to have to step up and be counted in this one. However, for whatever reason things haven’t clicked for them and that is something that must change. It doesn’t matter about performances right now, it is all about getting a win on the board.
Norwich will be looking for consistency in the next few weeks and if they can pick up a win here then that would give them two on the bounce and something to build on. Nelson Oliveira has two goals already this season and has forced his way into the starting line-up. He looks sure to start again and after a good start, he is one player who could find the back of the net again for Norwich.
Top Betting Tips
The next few weeks are going to be fascinating to follow Aston Villa. If they continue to perform poorly then manage Steve Bruce will be under fire and in danger of losing his job. They do have a lot of experience in the team though, and enough talent to drag them through. I do think eventually they will come good, although I don’t think it will be in this game.
Norwich are a good team and despite a blip against Sunderland, I have been impressed by them this season. Nelson Oliveira gives them an option up front and with many other creative players in the team, he is sure to get more chances.
I am going to back Norwich to win the game, I really can’t back Aston Villa until I have seen them perform much better and pick up a win. Norwich are available to back at 9/4 with Betfred, which is very good value when you look at how bad Aston Villa have been.
In this very intriguing match, I am giving Norwich the upper hand and backing them for victory in this game, condemning Aston Villa to another defeat.