Opta Big Match Stats: Man City to plunder goals at Villa

 

Using the Opta stats for Monday's televised Premier League clash, Christian Crowther plucks out three accompanying bets...

 

Aston Villa v Manchester City, Monday 20:00, Sky Sports 1

Man City have scored four or more goals in three of their last five league games against Aston Villa

Man City put five past Aston Villa without reply in the Premier League back in November in what remains the champions most emphatic victory during this title defence. In fact, they've only scored as many as four in the league on one other occasion this season, in contrast to doling out half-dozens against Norwich and Manchester United in 2011/12 and registering four or more on six other instances. Six goals in their last two outings, albeit four arrived against Leeds in the FA Cup, suggest Man City are close to returning to their free-scoring best. Chelsea, who put eight past Villa at Stamford Bridge, are yet to make the return trip, though other top-six sides Man United, Tottenham and Everton all put at least three past Paul Lambert's side in the midlands.

Best Bet: Back Man City to score three or more goals @ 2.88

 

No side has conceded more goals in the final half an hour of games this season than Aston Villa (25)

Villa's deficiencies are not in short supply this season, as their current position of 18th ahead of this game dictates. One weeping sore opened up time and time again by the opposition is the concession of late goals. Even more worryingly for Paul Lambert is the fact that Man City are expert exponents of the late goal themselves. In fact, only Reading (14) have rippled the net more times in the last 15 minutes of proceedings than City (13) this season. Among the champions' squad are many candidates to apply the death knell to Aston Villa but the prime suspect for this visit to Villa Park is Carlos Tevez. The Argentine ace has bagged twice in his last two appearances, including the last goal against Chelsea, and six of his last seven league goals have represented the final word.

Recommended Bet: Back Carlos Tevez to score last @ 5.2

 

No-one has scored more Premier League goals in 2013 than Christian Benteke (6)

If Villa fans are running for the hills already, never fear, there is of course some hope to be found. In Belgian striker Christian Benteke, Lambert has uncovered a gem. Still only 22, Benteke has been unphased since his first minute of action in the Premier League and has gone on to terrorise nearly every defence his sizeable frame has come up against. It's now 15 goals in 27 starts for Benteke, who has formed a formidable partnership with Andreas Weimann in the Villa attack. Six goals in as many starts in all competitions before City arrive make him the Villans' best selection for a consolation goal.

Recommended Bet: Back Christian Benteke to score @ 3.95

 

Bet HERE

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