England Premier League
Saturday 20th November 2021
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Villa Park
Match Preview:
There will be a lot of focus on this Saturday afternoon kick off as Steven Gerrard makes his managerial debut in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
Gerrard left Rangers after 3 years after Dean Smith was sacked by Villa and it will be interesting to see if the former Liverpool great can turn Villa’s season around. The home side come into this game on a five match losing streak.
Villa are in 16th place and with 10 points are only two above the relegation zone. It hasn’t been all doom and gloom for the side though with good victories over Manchester United, Everton and Newcastle but they have clearly hit a wall in recent weeks. The club had started their home form in style going their first 3 games unbeaten but they come into this one having lost their last two games. These defeats came against Wolves and West Ham where they managed to ship seven goals.
Brighton have started the season well and have lost just twice from their first eleven games. However the club have no wins in their last five games with 4 draws and one defeat. This has seen the club fall to seventh place but they have seven more points than their hosts coming into this game.
Before the international break Graham Potter’s side drew with Newcastle and away from home they have drawn their last 3. However Brighton are yet to lose on the road and only two other teams have that record in Chelsea and West Ham so far.
Team News:
Aston Villa: Douglas Luiz could be assessed but was carrying a muscle injury. Danny Ings has the same problem and is only 50/50 to make this encounter.
Brighton: Dan Burn is being tipped to return for this match after his knee injury. Enock Mwepu will be assessed after his groin injury. Robert Sanchez is suspended after his sending off before the international break. Danny Welbeck is out long term with his hamstring.
Aston Villa vs Brighton Head to Head:
Brighton won this fixture last season 2-1.
It’s been four games going back two years since Aston Villa beat Brighton.
The last time the teams played the game finished 0-0.
There is a 70% chance to see both teams to score.
Aston Villa vs Brighton Prediction:
Steven Gerrard’s win rate as manager of Rangers was just under 65%, that is a great return but some will question that in the Scottish league it should have been 70% plus. In short there have already been many articles questioning Gerrard’s ability as a manager and that his real test starts now.
Perhaps the omens will be on Villa’s side who have a fairly decent record over Brighton. The fact the club have lost 5 in a row, one would presume won’t continue, and the players will be undoubtedly refreshed and ready to go under their new manager and are of course at home, which means the fans will get behind Gerrard for his first game.
Brighton have been a very solid outfit and must be respected but we will back the home side to get the win and really raise their game for Gerrard’s first match in charge. Even a win and even a convincing one will not tell us much about Gerrard but this weekend has to be a turn the page moment for Villa to get them out of the rut they are in.
Aston Villa vs Brighton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Aston Villa) at 1.70
Correct Score: Aston Villa to win 2-0 or 2-1 at 12.00 and 9.00
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