Aston Villa need to return to form against improving Spurs

Villa/Tottenham, Sunday 4pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

For the majority of the season Aston Villa have been pushing forward at the same pace that Tottenham have been falling backwards but over the last month the two sides’ fortunes have reversed somewhat, with Villa on a six-match winless run and Spurs on a five-match unbeaten run. Here’s why a draw - offered at 5/2 by Boylesports - could be on the cards this weekend:

» Four of the last seven meetings between the two sides have finished level, including two of the last three at Villa Park.

» Aston Villa have drawn half of their fourteen home league games this season, which is the biggest percentage in the Premier League and only matched by Morecambe in the Football League.

» Martin O’Neill’s side have won just five league games at Villa Park all season but have lost just twice. Spurs have won on just one of their last 22 visits.

» Spurs have drawn four of their last six league clashes with top five sides.

» Harry Redknapp is unbeaten in five games against Aston Villa, drawing three of those. His Portsmouth side drew 0-0 at Villa Park earlier this season.

Any other business

» Bet365 offer 5/6 on both sides scoring. Both teams have found the net in seven of the last eight meetings between Villa and Spurs, including each of the last five.

» In the last five clashes between these two sides, six goals have been scored in the last ten minutes. There have been nine goals from the 76th minute onwards in those games.

Posted: March 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn |