Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion meet on Saturday at 12:30 in the first hand of the Championship semifinals in the Championship. The hosts were the most formate team at the end of the regular season, but they caught the in-the-top Top 6.
With a series of 10 consecutive wins, Dean Smith’s band managed to get into the fight for promotion, especially thanks to the offensive efforts of the Tammy Abraham goalie. Villa’s offensive game was impressive, especially on the ground, where the white-crushed band was set in front of Milwall (1-0), Bristol City (2-1), Blackburn (2-1) or Middlesbrough -0). Thus, Aston Villa finished the regular season with the third attack in the league, with Dean Smith’s students managing a 82-61 goal lap. Only WBA (87) and Norwich (93) have scored more goals, and statistics support bets on a spectacular match.
Aston Villa finished 5th, three points in front of Middlesbrough, who missed the Top 6. WBA ended the season in fourth place (goal 87-62), also shifting the coach throughout the year. Even though the white-blue attack has acted at a high level through Gayle and Rodriguez, West Brom’s defensive has often suffered and blundered unpardonably at decisive moments.
Aston Villa missed the victory in the last two stages of the championship, 1-1 with Leeds United and 1-2 with Norwich at home. There have been matches played against top bands, but the good season at the end of the season certainly gives a good morale to the hosts. The WBA ended the season with three wins on its own, but in the last stage it yielded to Derby’s field, 1-3. Interestingly, Aston Villa did not manage to beat the WBA this season, managing a 2-2 away and being defeated at home, scoring 0-2. Five direct duels have passed since the Birmingham club’s last victory, and local rivalry will definitely say its word in the Saturday match.
The Villa is missing Chester, Carroll and Nyland, while the WBA can not rely on midfielder Barry and Livermore, or striker Hal Robson-Kanu (suspended). On the whole, there are two abusive bands in the offensive, but they have problems in synchronizing defense, especially because of the aggressive and courageous style they practice. The bets on both sides are the most logical selection, even though in the last five direct duels each team scored one (or none). WBA won the last two trips on Villa Park.
THE PROBABLE TEAMS AT ASTON VILLA – WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Aston Villa: Steer – Hutton, Tuanzebe, Mings, Taylor – McGinn, Whelan, Grealish – El Ghazi, Abraham, Kodija
WBA: Johnstone – Dawson, Bartley, Hegazi – Holgate, Brunt, Johansen, Gibbs – Murphy, Gayle, Rodriguez
PREDICTION: Aston Villa to win @ 1,95
