Aston Villa v Chelsea: Betting Tips and Best Odds

What makes one club bigger than another? Is it the size of it’s support? money? it’s history? current success?

Over at Talksport yesterday the debate rumbled on; Who’s the biggest club, Aston Villa or Chelsea? Me? I couldn’t really say but today they both have the chance to establish themselves as a top three club in the Premier League this season in what should be a cracking match live on Sky Sports 1.

The good news for Chelsea fans is that they have a new boss. The bad news for Chelsea fans is that his first game in charge is against Aston Villa at Villa Park – a venue at which Chelsea have a very poor recent record.

Chelsea haven’t won at Villa Park this century as Aston Villa have won seven of their last 19 home games against Chelsea, while they have also drawn seven. But that hasn’t stopped the bookies making the Blues favourites with Coral and Totesport going 13/10 on Guus Hiddink marking his first game in charge with a win. Villa can be backed at 13/5 with Centrebet whilst the draw is available at 12/5 with Boylesports.

A lot has been made of Villa’s recent good form but for me they’ve not really been that convincing and I think they’re often grinding out results, although they often say that’s the sign of a good team. And although Big Phil has left the building after a poor run, Chelsea still have one of the best records on the road in the league.

I’m a firm believer in ‘new manager syndrome’ and the impact that Guus Hiddink can make in his first game in charge shouldn’t be underestimated. Add to that the fact that as the expectation on Villa has now grown to the point where they’re actually expected to win this one. How will they deal with this new pressure?

Chelsea need to come out fighting and I can see them sneaking a win at Villa Park this afternoon. The 13/10 at Coral & Totesport is a bit on the short side though and I’m more likely to take out a wee bit of insurance and go with Blues on the Draw No Bet market at Stan James who offer 8/13 on Chelsea. That looks far more appealing knowing that if it finishes level I’ll get my stake back.

Let me know how you think the game will go in the comments below.

By the way, the Talksport listeners decided by 64% to 36% that Villa were the bigger club. Let’s see if that’s how it pans out today.

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