Mike, at first i was leaning quite heavily on Aston as well. But due to their stats lately, which i'm sure u are familiar with too, i just can't help but to fear another draw tonight.
I see this game as a more or less .. 50% win - 40% draw - 10% lose. I would love the ML play, but too much juice on it already.
if u aren't willing to play ML then why don't u play -0.5? Odds are still over 2.00
There are 2 ways u can look at this match
1. Villa can make this a bore draw and lure people into the odds.
2. People can be extremely skeptical about the team and fade them as suggested from you.
However, i'm trying to be realistic here. Villa are a far better team. Sheff Utd can claim premiership status if they get a draw here, but, they do play against Wigan next week at Bramall Lane, so a loss to Villa is not hard pressed. Villa on the other hand travel to Reebok Stadium and its quite clear that in order for a top 10 finish they must get a positive result today to have a chance to leap over Blackburn. Both sides will field their strongest XI, but you have to look at the current form. Sheff Utd have scored a measly 4 goals on the road since the start of 2007. Whenever they play a faster paced team, they've had their struggles, but teams that rely heavily on set pieces, the Blades have had their chances. I'm also not keen on Neil Warnock's managerial capabilities. If Sheff Utd had initially lost to Charlton, i would of layed off this game, but the odds are suggesting, imo, Villa and Sheff UTd are on the same level.....wrong. I expect Villa to continue their current success, and finish off their last home game of the season on a high.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Sheffield Utd
Goal Scorers: Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor
