Birmingham vs Villa – Agbonlahor to continue upsetting hosts
Published:Gerard Houllier has a track record for leaving Birmingham heartbroken in the Carling Cup and there is a strong possibility that he will do so again with current club Aston Villa.
Match Odds
Houllier was in charge of the Liverpool team in 2001 which won the Carling Cup by defeating Birmingham on penalties in the final.
This time he tackles Birmingham at the quarter-final stage and it is 21/10 that Villa claim victory in the 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, a win for Villa by any means including after extra-time, as they did in the last round against Burnley, or penalties, can be backed at 1/1.
Also in Villa’s favour is that they have only lost to Birmingham once in their previous ten encounters in cup competitions.
Birmingham have not participated in a semi-final since losing to Liverpool in 2001, but they are 11/8 to do so this year by beating Villa and 8/11 to qualify.
Over/Under 2.5 goals
Only two goals have been scored in the last three showdowns between the Midlands rivals and there is no reason to suggest that a tense and tight affair will not take place again.
Football betting odds of 4/6 are available that no more than two goals are scored in the 90 minutes, while 2/1 could be a good price that the game witnesses one goal or fewer scored.
Birmingham have only managed three goals in their last seven games with Villa and have not beaten them since 2005.
Villa have won on their last three visits to St Andrew’s and all of these victories have occurred by a one-goal margin.
Two of these successes have been 1-0 and it is 7/1 that Villa win by this scoreline again.
Gabby Agbonlahor has scored the winner for Villa in their last two away games with Birmingham and a £10 bet on the scorecast of Villa winning 1-0 and Agbonlahor grabbing the only goal could lead to winnings of £330. New Ladbrokes customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.
