Resurgent Villa to make superior quality count this evening

Jonno Turner fancies a straight-forward victory for Villa in the Capital One Cup this evening - and has thrown in a bit of French flavour, too.

 

We're off to West Yorkshire for our first pick of the day - and Bradford welcome struggling Aston Villa to Valley Parade, looking to complete another cup scalp following their victory over Arsenal in the last round.

 

The Bantams knocked out the Gunners on penalties - and now find themselves in the semi-finals of this competition, with just an hour and a half between themselves and a trip to Wembley.

 

Phil Parkinson will be delighted with his sides overall performance in this competition, but their recent form has been somewhat alarming, and just one win from their last six outings is not he best preparation for welcoming a Premier League side to their patch.

 

In contrast, when the hosts went into their clash with Arsenal, they were on a five game unbeaten run - and although they rode their luck in that game, it was clear to see the momentum and vigour in Parkinson's side.

 

But no goals scored in two outings, and three without a win, suggests that the Bantams are on a bit of a barren run of late - and that could cost them dearly in this one.

 

Villa's troubles have been well documented recently, but the Midlands side look to have picked up in the last week or so - and are unbeaten in two outings.

 

Fifteen goals conceded in three games showed up Paul Lambert's sides defensive flaws, but the Claret and Blue have shored up that rearguard, and looked comfortable in a 2-1 victory over Ipswich at the weekend.

 

And in fact, Villa have lost just one of their last five on their travels, which will give them much confidence ahead of this one.

 

There is no doubt that this will be a tricky tie - just ask Arsenal - but Villa do have the quality to overcome their opponents, and I feel that they will want to get ahead early on to kill off any suggestions of a giant-killing.

 

Bet 1: Aston Villa (AWAY) @ 1.78

 

Over to France now, and Cherbourg host Boulogne at the Stade Maurice Postaire, looking to make it four unbeaten in a row on their own patch.

 

Jean-Marie Huriez' side sit in 15th place in the Championnat National, and will be desperate to secure three points here in order to aid their climb up the table.

 

And half a dozen goals scored in their last three in front of their own fans suggests that the Normandy side do have the attacking prowess to hurt their opponents when they're on top of their game.

 

Visitors Boulogne go into this one having failed to win in five clashes, and four losses in that time suggests that confidence may have been knocked in the away camp.

 

Boss Georges Tournay will be feeling the pressure of three consecutive losses on the road, and this is a key game with his side sitting just one place behind their opponents.

 

Bet 2: Cherbourg (HOME) @ 2.34

 

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