Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert was rightly proud of his side after they fell on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat to champions Manchester City on Monday night, although a point was the least they deserved for their efforts.
In a game that is sure to be featured in most football betting news, Villa were pinned back for large periods of the match but offered a good threat themselves when in possession. One mistake by Ciaran Clarke was enough to gift Carlos Tevez the winner just before half time, a sour point on an otherwise positive display.
“I can’t fault the lads. We have been playing very well without getting the rewards we deserve,” Lambert said after the game.
“The players know they are playing well. It is different if you have been done heavily. We will keep playing and hopefully the rewards will come.”
Indeed, the intensity of Villa’s game at times will have pleased Lambert and their display clearly signifies some fight remains despite their lowly situation. Keeping the multi-billionaires at rest is a tough ask and Villa did well to muster up 10 shots on target.
Lambert’s men will need this fight over the coming weeks if they are to stave off relegation, which is a genuine danger with a three-point gap between them (18th) and Southampton in 16th.
With QPR beating the Saints on Saturday the Premier League bottom five has further congested and Villa must take full advantage against reading and the Rs over the next fortnight if survival is to be achieved.
Lambert will instil some confidence in his men after their performance against City and fans in the betting world can expect a positive response when they take to the Madjeski Stadium turf on Saturday afternoon. Bet365 latest football odds will be of particular interest to fans hoping Villa will achieve a successful outcome this weekend. The Premier League survival scrap will go down to the wire this season and Villa must keep their head above water over the next few games.
