ASTON VILLA BETTING TIPS 2009/10 PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa will have a tricky season this year and are 150/1 to win the English Premier League- great value, but not a likely outcome. They are a very short 1/7 for a top half finish, and while the odds aren't long, that's very easy money. Martin O'Neill's men will have to muck up pretty hard to finish 11th. They are 13/2 to win the league without the big 4. They face competition from Manchester City, Tottenham and Everton, but I think this one is wide open. Another virtually certain payout is Aston Villa to be named top Midlands Club, at 1/6 against Stoke, Wolves and Birmingham. Villa finished 6th last year and they will be looking to improve on that, fourth is going to be a grind, but fifth is a realistic option. They are 9/2 to finish higher than sixth, 4/1 to finish sixth again and 4/11 to finish anywhere lower than sixth. If you think an Aston Villa player will outscore the rest of the Premier League, you can select from Gabriel Agbonlahor at 66/1 and 100/1 from Ashley Young- the same price as Emile Heskey. I think this is a bit of a consolidation year from Villa, and they will be looking to build up the profile of Young and Agbonlahor, who are both pushing for World Cup places. The loss of Gareth Barry will be a big one, but the steady hand of O'Neill should keep things from going pear shaped. They'do do well to finish 5th or 6th this year. Stewart Downing gives them a bit extra, and he's also looking to play his way back into Capello's plans.