Southampton vs Aston Villa predictions & betting tips

St. Mary’s Stadium is set to host a crucial Premier League match this Saturday as Southampton face Aston Villa in a game of contrasting circumstances. Southampton, currently at the bottom of the table with only nine points from 29 matches, have been relegated. On the other hand, Aston Villa, comfortably positioned in ninth place with 45 points, are aiming for a top-half finish and a potential European qualification.

Southampton's season has been marred by challenges on both offense and defense, as evidenced by their league-worst goal difference of -49. Their leading scorer, Paul Onuachu, has managed only four goals, highlighting their attacking difficulties. The Saints have failed to score in six home games this season and are winless in their last eight matches. Facing a Villa team that has scored in 12 consecutive games, Southampton's defensive vulnerabilities could be a deciding factor unless they manage a significant turnaround.

Aston Villa enter this match in excellent form, led by Ollie Watkins, who has scored 13 goals this season. Villa have won four of their last five matches against Southampton, including a narrow victory in their previous encounter. Historically, the rivalry has been closely contested, with Villa holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record at 18-16. However, Southampton's nine home victories in their last 21 meetings with Villa indicate they can still pose a challenge on their home turf.

Southampton - Aston Villa Key Facts

• Aston Villa have demonstrated a strong performance in their recent encounters against Southampton, securing victories in their last four matches. During these games, they have scored a total of 10 goals while conceding only 1, showcasing their dominance and making them the favorites for the upcoming match.

• Southampton, on the other hand, have been struggling, remaining winless in their last 8 matches. Additionally, they have failed to score in 6 out of their 15 home games this season, indicating challenges in both their offensive and defensive strategies, which could result in a low-scoring game.

• Aston Villa's attacking consistency is evident as they have managed to score at least one goal in their last 13 matches. This trend suggests that they are likely to find the net again in the upcoming fixture, further solidifying their position as strong contenders.

Betting Predictions

Primary Bet:Away Win @ 11/20

Aston Villa’s exceptional form firmly establishes them as favourites for this fixture. They are currently on a seven-match winning streak, which includes four impressive away victories. Additionally, they have dominated recent meetings with Southampton, winning four of the last five encounters. In stark contrast, Southampton are winless in their last eight matches and have endured a woeful home record this season, managing just one win, two draws, and twelve defeats (1-2-12). Aston Villa’s efficiency in this matchup is evident, averaging 1.4 goals per game against Southampton while conceding a mere 0.2. At odds of 11/20, backing an "away win" offers strong value.

Secondary Bet:Over 2.5 Goals @ 31/50

The secondary bet of "over 2.5 goals" is well-supported by recent trends, with an 83.36% probability. Aston Villa have found the net in each of their last 13 matches, underlining their attacking consistency, while Southampton have conceded in their last 12 games, exposing significant defensive frailties. Although the historical average for goals in this fixture stands at 1.6, the current form of both sides points towards a more open, high-scoring affair. This makes the 31/50 odds for Over 2.5 Goals an enticing option for punters.