West Bromwich VS Aston Villa Match Prediction
2019-05-14
19:00:00
West Bromwich
VS
Aston Villa
Our Prediction Tip
Draw will win this match.
2019-05-1419:00:00 Draw will win this match.
West Brom and Aston Villa have met each other three times this season – their first meetings since Aston Villa’s relegation from the Premier League. Their previous match at The Hawthorns saw Jay Rodriguez snatch an injury-time equaliser for the hosts in a 2-2 draw. Anwar El Ghazi scored twice for Villa, either side of Dwight Gayle’s equaliser. In the reverse league fixture, Hal Robson-Kanu and Rodriguez scored late in the first half in a 2-0 win at Villa Park. Villa won the first leg of this tie, however. Gayle opened the scoring, but Conor Hourihane levelled and Tammy Abraham’s penalty sealed victory.
This tie started perfectly for West Brom but turned bad and then got even worse in the first leg at Villa Park.
First and foremost, Villa’s 2-1 win gives them the initiative in this tie after they came from behind to win their home leg.
Then there is the matter of Dwight Gayle’s red card – costing the Baggies their top scorer for the second leg. With Hal Robson-Kanu already suspended for his brainless red card on the final day of the league season, the Baggies – who need goals – are light up top.
Jay Rodriguez is still there, but Villa now have a lead to defend and the onus is on West Brom to take the game to them.
That could open up spaces for the counter-attack, with Anwar El Ghazi looking for more goals at the Hawthorns and fit-again Tammy Abraham back up front.
Villa hit form at just the right time for the second consecutive season, whereas West Brom find themselves under pressure after a frustrating campaign that almost promised more.
With a lead to defend, a draw will be enough for Aston Villa – and they have already proved this season they can get such a result at the Hawthorns.
West Brom have home advantage for the second leg and are narrow favourites with the bookmakers. The Baggies are 7/5 to win with Bet365, while Aston Villa are a best price of 7/4 with Bet365 and Betfair.
A draw will do for Villa and Bet365 are offering a best price of 5/2 on the draw.
Both teams to score has been set at 4/6 with Betfair and 888sport. A draw and BTTS is 7/2 with Betfair, Paddy Power and 888sport.
Tammy Abraham scored the winner in the first leg and he is 7/5 with Ladbrokes to score at any time. Jay Rodriguez is a best price of 6/4 for the Baggies, meanwhile, in the absence of Dwight Gayle.
Aston Villa have the initiative in this tie and a draw at the Hawthorns – the same as when the teams last met there – will be enough to book another trip to the Wembley final for the Villains.
Dwight Gayle will miss the second leg of this tie after picking up a late second yellow card to be sent off in the first leg. With Hal Robson-Kanu already suspended, Jacob Murphy could step into the starting line-up with Matt Phillips pushed up front. Jake Livermore was said to be touch-and-go for the first leg but missed out at Villa Park. The former England international could return in central midfield. James Morrison returned from the bench at Villa Park, meanwhile, though Gareth Barry is definitely out injured.
Jay Rodriguez – In Gayle’s absence, the striker will lead the line at the Hawthorns. He is just one goal behind Gayle on 22 for the season.
Matt Phillips – Five goals and six assists from the wing this season. Phillips has won through the play-offs before with QPR.
Stefan Johansen – Beat Aston Villa in the play-off final last season and the former Fulham man will want similar success this year after not being handed a fair crack in the top flight with the Cottagers.
West Brom looked to be finishing the season in strong form, but after a run of three wins and a draw they lost 3-1 away to Derby County on the final day. Stefan Johansen scored the Baggies goal, but Hal Robson-Kanu was sent off in the dying moments for violent conduct. In the first leg of this tie, Dwight Gayle opened the scoring but two quickfire goals earned Aston Villa a 2-1 win before Gayle saw red.
After his match-winning impact from the bench in the first leg, Conor Hourihane could start ahead of Glen Whelan at the Hawthorns. Tammy Abraham recovered from his shoulder injury to play in the first leg, as a host of first-team regulars returned at Villa Park.
Tammy Abraham – Returned from injury to score the match-winning penalty in the first leg – his 26th goal in 38 appearances.
Jack Grealish – Came so close to leading Aston Villa to the Premier League last season and, after six goals so far this season, he will be desperate not to fall at the play-off stage again.
Anwar El Ghazi – The Lille loanee scored both Villa goals in the 2-2 draw with West Brom at the Hawthorns earlier in the season.
As with last season, Aston Villa hit form at just the right time to surge into the play-offs. The controversial 1-1 draw with Leeds ended their ten-game winning streak before a much-changed team lost 2-1 to champions Norwich on the final day. Conor Hourihane and Tammy Abraham scored as Aston Villa beat West Brom 2-1 in the first leg of this tie to get back to winning ways, however.
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