Aston Villa vs Everton Betting Preview

The Sky cameras head to Villa Park on Boxing Day, for what promises to be an extremely cagey affair between two of the Premierships most disappointing sides, Aston Villa and Everton.Few would have believed either of these sides would have been sailing so close to the drop zone come Christmas, but that?s the position they both find themselves in, Villa occupying an unhealthy 15th in the table and Everton one place below, so the importance of this game should not be understated with a bumper festive period awaiting both sides.Despite the summer arrivals of proven goal scorers Kevin Phillips and Milan Baros, Villa?s form has been patchy at best this term, mustering just four Premiership victories from a possible 17, beating Blackburn, Birmingham, Sunderland and most recently a struggling Charlton outfit.In fairness to David O?Leary?s side, they have only lost one of their last five games, but it?s been the manner of their performances that would have angered the Villa faithful the most.Going forward they lack a cutting edge, averaging under a goal a game, despite having Phillips, Baros and Juan Pablo Angel within their attacking ranks, while at the back they look particularly vulnerable, with the likes of Martin Laursen, Gary Cahill and more importantly Olof Mellberg, still missing through injuryRookie defender Liam Ridgewell has stepped into the breach admirably, but O?Leary has already mentioned that he?d like to give the youngster a break, and has admitted his side are ?Living on their nerves? at the back ? a point well demonstrated in the recent 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.Just as the Villa faithful have been tearing their hair out this season, fans of Everton must be shaking their heads in disbelief given the disastrous first half of the campaign they have had to endure.It?s almost impossible to believe Everton were competing in the Champions League back in September, such has been their fluctuating form this term.David Moyes? side are just four points clear of third bottom Portsmouth and like Monday?s opponents, they are having problems in front of goal, hitting the net a measly nine times in seventeen league outings.Recent wins over Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, as well as the draw with Manchester United, suggested the Toffees were getting back on track. However any thoughts of a surge up the table have been dampened by successive defeats at the hands of West Ham and a rampant Bolton last week.Given the mediocre form of both sides, it looks impossible to side with either and anyone looking for a punt in the game should probably steer well clear of the outright winner market, with the 6/5 widely available about Villa and the5/2 about the men in blue making limited appeal.With this in mind, I?d rather look elsewhere for a wager in the game and the one price that does interest me is the 7/1 on offer about Everton?s James Beattie grabbing the first goal. The burly striker has hardly been prolific since his big money move from Southampton, but he has looked much sharper of late and could prove to be a real handful for Villa?s depleted rearguard.Beattie notched the opening goal in Everton?s recent defeat to West Ham, and in what should be a close encounter, he?s worth a speculative punt to do likewise here.