Aston Villa vs Reading Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Reading come into this game after a humiliating 7-1 defeat at Norwich last weekend. While they remain on course for a play-off spot, their struggles on the road combined with Villa’s excellent recent run suggests the hosts will come out on top here.

The Royals had actually won 3 matches on the spin prior to conceding six in 45 minutes in East Anglia. Therefore, Jaap Stam may be hopeful of writing it off as a freak result but certainly it would have been a severe dent to morale heading into this game. Away from home, particularly against top half sides, they’ve been very unconvincing all season. 50% of Reading’s away matches have ended in defeat. It’s also very notable that their 10 away games against sides currently in the top half this season have produced 9 defeats and just 1 win.

With Villa in 11th place and top of the form table for the last eight games, Steve Bruce’s side certainly justify their status as clear favourites for the win and that’s before you even consider their dominant recent record against Reading. Villa’s play-off hopes realistically ended last weekend when they could only draw 1-1 at Burton. However, their form is still excellent with 7 wins from their last 9 matches and only 2 goals conceded over that period. Villa have won their last five home games to nil, so they are playing with real confidence at home and should be able to cope with anything Reading throw at them.

In a creative sense, Villa haven’t been brilliant but given Reading shipped 7 last weekend and have conceded 2.1 goals per away game this season, they should get sufficient chances to win this. The man who will be expected to provide the finishing touch is again Jonathan Kodjia. He is in stunning form, with 8 goals in his last 8 games to take his season tally to 19 Championship goals in just 33 games for Villa. Given that, backing Kodjia to score anytime at 5/6 looks well worth a punt.

Villa have been a little too dependent on him in truth but there is quality in other areas of the pitch and it’s surely only a matter of time before other players start chipping in with a few goals. Villa are unbeaten at home to current top half teams this season and with Reading not great on their travels, backing Aston Villa to Win at 4/5 looks like the value bet.