Aston Villa vs Stevenage Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 05/01/2023, 18:00  by Ioannis in FA Cup Prediction

Aston Villa host Stevenage in the third round of the FA Cup. The game will be replayed in case of a draw. Both teams come into the match with positive recent form, but Aston Villa will be the favourites to progress due to their status as a Premier League team while their opponents are in League Two, three divisions below Villa. After securing a hard-fought point against Wolves, thanks to a late goal from Danny Ings, the Villains have been in good form under the guidance of new manager Unai Emery. losing just two of their last six competitive games and showing a level of intensity and efficiency that had been lacking in previous matches. However, the team still has defensive issues to address, having conceded in nine of their last eleven competitive games. They may also field a much-changed line-up due to the demands of a gruelling fortnight that has included encounters against Liverpool and Spurs. 

Stevenage are in an equally positive momentum, having won six of their last ten games and losing just once in that run. That's taken them to second in League Two, two points adrift of leaders Leyton Orient. To reach the third round of the FA Cup, they have had wins over Gateshead and King's Lynn Town, both non-league sides.  Stevenage have had no trouble finding the back of the net either, only failing to score in three of their last twenty-two games, and have been particularly strong on the road, with just one defeat in their last nine away games. However, Aston Villa will provide a stern test, as they are a Premier League team and a step up in quality from the opposition Stevenage have faced in the fourth tier. Despite this, the visitors have scored in nine of their last twelve away games and will be hoping to cause an upset, making shrewd use of their strong scoring record on the road. The two sides have never met before in a competitive game.