Aston Villa v Sunderland Odds : Punters eye relegation decider at Villa Park
Its Aston Villa v Sunderland as Paddy Power release the latest odds and free bets on this relegation decider at the foot of the Premiership.
Aston Villa and Sunderland go head-to-head in a crucial six-pointer at Villa Park tnight, as both teams look to move clear of Wigan Athletic in the final relegation spot.
The Black Cats – revitalised by back-to-back wins under new boss Paulo Di Canio – come into the game on 37 points, three ahead of Villa, and they know that a victory will more-than-likely ensure Premier League survival.
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the hosts will also be aware that a win in front of their supporters tonight will take them five points clear of Wigan and with safety in sight. The bookmakers seem to think the Villa have the edge at 11/8 to emerge victorious, with the Wearsiders 12/5 to come home with the points.
It could be a tight affair though and this is reflected in the correct score market. A single goal victory for the Claret and Blues is around the 7/1 mark, with an away victory by the same margin (1-0 or 2-1) available at 10/1.
In team news, Villa manager Paul Lambert has no fresh injury concerns for Monday’s key clash. Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor played the full 90 minutes in their defeat by Manchester United on his return from a groin injury, leaving Lambert with only long-term absentees to worry about.
Joe Bennett (ankle) picked up an injury during the defeat at Old Trafford but should be fit to face the Black Cats. If not, Ciaran Clark could fill in at left-back.
Karim El Ahmadi could also come into the team after a decent performance against the Red Devils and expect either Charles N’Zogbia or Andreas Weimann to make way if he does.
For the Black Cats, Craig Gardner will return to the squad that travels to the West Midlands. The defender missed the victories over Newcastle and Everton through suspension after reaching 10 bookings for the season, but is available once again.
Elsewhere, defender Phil Bardsley is fighting to shake off the ankle problem which kept him out of the 1-0 win over the Toffees last weekend and striker Connor Wickham will miss out once again with a calf injury.
There should be a fiery atmosphere inside Villa Park for what is such a crucial contest and the home manager has played his part in the build-up.
“We’ve got to win it,” Lambert said. “Sunderland are going well themselves but it is an opportunity for us. We are at home. We know what we have to do and that’s a good thing.
But his opposite number also knows that a victory in front of the Sky cameras will go a long way to keeping his new side in the division, telling his players that Monday’s tussle with Villa is Sunderland’s “Champions League final”.
“If we win on Monday, we stay up. I told my players that Monday is our Champions League final,” said Di Canio, who took over at the Stadium of Light on the last day of March after leaving Swindon earlier this season.
“That is what I have been saying ever since we joined up again at the start of the week. They must think of this week as the most important of the season. If we win on Monday, we will stay up with three weeks to spare.”
