Watford v Aston Villa betting tips: Villans must buck history

Villa bolstered their ranks with a £95m spend as Emiliano Buendia became Villa’s club-record buy from Norwich for a fee that could rise to £38m.

Midfielder Buendia was crucial in the Canaries’ Championship-winning campaign last season, while winger Bailey impressed at Bayer Leverkusen, scoring nine goals.

Axel Tuanzebe’s arrival on loan from Manchester United enhances Villa’s already-impressive backline and they look a better side on paper than they did last season when finishing 11th.

Villa are 11/10 for a top-half Premier League finish and are 6/1 for a top-six finish while for Watford v Aston Villa betting tips they are 5/4 to win while the draw is on offer at 23/10.

Watford v Aston Villa head-to-head

In 21 meetings since 1969, Watford have won eight and lost eight, with five games drawn.

The Hornets have won three of the last four meetings, however, and are 5/1 to win but concede.

There were over 2.5 goals in 22 of Villa’s 38 league games last season and the last four clashes between these sides yielded three or more goals. It is 19/20 for that to be the case again.

Interestingly, there have only ever been two away wins in their 21 meetings and Watford have won their last nine competitive matches at home. It is 4/6 for Watford to win or draw the game on the Double Chance market.

Watford v Aston Villa team news

Villa have a few injury concerns. Buendia missed back-to-back pre-season games due to a hip issue and last season’s top scorer Ollie Watkins came off against Salernitana with a thigh injury.

Morgan Sanson hasn’t trained all summer due to complications with a knee injury picked up in April, while Bertrand Traore has only just returned from a groin operation he had in June.

Egyptian midfielder Trezeguet is ruled out and Douglas Luiz is not expected back for a week or two after playing for Brazil at the Olympics. Striker Keinan Davis is also currently sidelined.

Villa are 19/10 to keep a clean sheet and it is 17/20 that they score the first goal in Watford v Aston Villa betting tips.

Watford v Aston Villa key battles

The Hornets will fancy their chances of getting at Villa’s full-backs and Sarr is a handful at the best of times. He may give Ashley Young a torrid time if the veteran defender is in the line-up against his former club.

Much depends on Villa’s treatment table and in front of a full house, Watford will spy an upset. They are 9/2 to win with over 2.5 goals scored in the game.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication