Aston Villa vs Sheffield Wednesday Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This will be a big test of Sheffield Wednesday’s metal against an improving Villa side. The hosts come into the match as favourites but there is still the feeling that they are something of a work in progress and the smart money here may lie with the draw.

Only Ipswich have drawn more Championship games than Villa this season. 33% of the Birmingham club’s games have ended level, as have 41% of their home games. They’ve struggled to break teams down and their average of just 0.97 goals per game this season certainly reflects that. They have avoided defeat in 88% of their home games though so they are tough to beat at Villa Park. It’s well worth noting that Villa’s 3 home games against top six sides so far this season have all ended in 1-1 draws.

Defensively they’ve looked better in recent games and have only conceded 1 in their last 4 outings. That came at Huddersfield on Tuesday in a game Villa may have felt they were good value for a point in. The Claret & Blues have quite a few injury problems, particularly in the attacking positions right now but one man who is fit is top scorer Jonathan Kodjia. He has been a consistent goal threat since joining the club and has netted in 4 of his last 8 appearances. Given that backing Kodjia, who also takes the penalties, to score anytime at 6/5 looks like a decent bet here.

It’s hard to see Villa threatening much from elsewhere though. Sheffield Wednesday are a very well organised side that has conceded just 0.97 goals per game this term. They’ve put in some really good defensive displays in tough away games already, with 1-0 wins at Huddersfield and Newcastle the highlights. However they don’t score many at the other end on their travels and average just 1 goal per game away, conceding 1.06.

33% of Wednesday’s away games have finished level too so like Villa they’ve also been drawing quite a few matches. The Owls are too far back to seriously challenge the top two so their focus is defending the 6th place they currently occupy. Their only realistic rivals are Fulham, who travel to Newcastle on Saturday and given that, Wednesday may well see a point here as a good result. They are strong enough at the back to limit Villa to a few chances and as a result a low-scoring game looks likely and backing the Draw at 12/5 is perhaps the best approach in the Full Time result market.