ASTON VILLA VS. WOLVES- STARTING LINEUPS AND PREDICTIONS

In a battle of the Midlands, Wolverhampton Wolves play host to Aston Villa this afternoon in what promises to be a passionate and undoubtedly gritty affair.
Tensions will be running high, as the Mick McCarthy's men look to better their 1-1 draw from last season, where Ebanks-Blake scored a penalty seven minutes from time
If ever there was a time where Wolves felt that they could take on last year’s Premiership top 8 finishers, today is it as they tackle a Villa side which have yet to pick up a single point away from home this season.
On the Wolves team news front,Van Damme is a doubt leading into today, with David Edwards also featuring for the side. Matt Jarvis also makes the squad despite suffering a groin injury last weekend.
Stephen hunt is also out with a foot injury
The Villa side will also be impressed with Gerard Houllier's first game in charge midweek which resulted in a 3-1 victory over Blackburn, and hoping that he can break the hoodoo which has seen Villa not win in the league since August.
Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor will face a late fitness test today, while midfielder Stephen Ireland will also be assessed before the game.
Stewart Downing returns to the starting line-up after being rested to protect an injured shin
Possible starting lineups:
Wolves: Hahnemann, Craddock, Mancienne, Foley, Berra, Henry, Jones, Jarvis, Ward, Fletcher, Doyle.
Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Petrov, Downing, Ireland, A Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey
Villa head into today's match as slim favourites, and great value for money, with William Hill putting them at 8/5 against Wolves at 9/5
With both teams not having been in explosive goal scoring form this season, the odds on a low scoring match are rather high.
A Wolves 1-0 win will see returns at 15/2, against a 13/2 in favour of Villa.
A likely 2-1 win in Villas favour will net 17/2- good money on the most likely scenario
Steven Fletcher is favourite to open for Wolves at 6/1, with Kevin Doyle at 15/8 to score at anytime.
For Villa Gabriel Agbonlahor is tops to score at 6/4, however after Ashley Young's sensational ability highlighted in his midweek goal spree, one would be foolish not to consider him an option at 10/3
While a wolves win would highlight the ability of the Midlands unit, the arrival of Gerard Houllier has already had an impact, with Villa responding with a hard fought 3-1 win over Blackburn on Wednesday,
With Houllier’s first game back in charge at a Premiership level, one would assume that the Villa contingent will be heading out today dead set on impressing, and are therefore the better pick of these two sides
Betting Tip: Aston Villa to win at 8/5