Prediction: Aston Villa vs Southampton

Prediction: Aston Villa win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: bet365

Christmas is right around the corner and while that may be cause for excitement in the eyes of many, we’re choosing to instead look ahead to what should prove to be a fascinating series of Premier League showdowns between now and 2020. The game we’re going to be looking at today will be contested between Aston Villa and Southampton – two clubs with an awful lot of history, but two clubs that are also searching for direction.

Aston Villa

There’s a lot more quality in Villa’s ranks than people give them credit for, and that’s going to get them out of quite a few sticky situations this season. They haven’t quite struggled as much as the likes of Fulham last season, who many compared them to as a result of their lofty spending in the summer. We’re expecting a few more new faces to make their way into the squad in January, but for the most part, they need to work on strengthening some of the stars they’ve already got.

Team News

Steer and Mings are both ruled out for this one with Davis and McGinn being doubts. Chester will likely compete for place in the starting line-up with Wesley and Kodjia waiting to see who features up top.

Southampton

The years of flying high and qualifying for Europe seem like a distant memory for Southampton, who continue to search for a real purpose in the Premier League. They’ve got a squad that features a great deal of heart and determination, but in this league, that just isn’t going to be enough in the long run. Whether it be a change in formation or a change in their transfer strategy, some sort of alterations need to be made – and fast.

Team News

Valery’s viral infection will ensure that he misses out on this trip to Birmingham, with Boufal being a doubt. Romeu could make his return to the starting XI with Redmond also campaigning for a featured spot.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in April 2016, Southampton beat Aston Villa 4-2.
• Aston Villa have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Southampton have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Aston Villa have scored 11 goals and conceded 10 in their last six games.
• Southampton have scored eight goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

Both clubs are fighting back against the idea that they’re destined for the drop, to the point where it really does feel like they’re going to make a good go of survival. In terms of this game we’ve seen what sort of impact Villa can have when they play at home, and we’ve seen the momentum they’re carrying forward from the big win against Liverpool. We think they’ve just got a little bit too much quality for the Saints to handle, and they’ll edge out the victory in the Midlands.

Prediction: Aston Villa win

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: bet365