Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace Stats-Based Bet Builder Tips: Vital victory for Villans in 5/1 four-fold

After clinching their spot in the league phase of the Uefa Conference League in Norway on Thursday, Crystal Palace turn their attention back to domestic matters on Sunday (19:00 BST, Sky Sports Main Event), as they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Read on for my Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace Stats-Based Bet Builder Tips.

Match Result - Aston Villa

Palace had the upper hand in this head-to-head last season, winning 2-1 in the Carabao Cup at Villa Park in October, drawing 2-2 there a month later in the league before beating the Villans 4-1 at Selhurst Park in February. Then, in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley in April, the Eagles triumphed 3-0.

Unai Emery won his first two games in charge against Palace as Villa head coach, but has failed to beat the south London side in five attempts since, suffering three defeats.

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace Odds

However, I think Sunday is when he and his players turn the tide, with Palace possibly feeling the effects of a small squad and their European exertions on Thursday. Like Villa, Palace are also without a Premier League win this season, but they're unbeaten, drawing with Chelsea (0-0) and Nottingham Forest (1-1), and should be in good spirits after securing safe passage to the league phase of the Conference League.

Villa, on the other hand, could really do with a win on Sunday after following up a goalless draw at home to Newcastle United with a 1-0 defeat at Brentford. The motivation should be with the hosts here, and their desperation for three points, combined with the tiredness felt in the Palace camp, should be enough to see them through to a victory.

They had also won five straight league games at Villa Park prior to their opening-weekend stalemate with the Magpies, highlighting their strong home credentials.

Ollie Watkins (AVL) Shots on Target - 1+

Ollie Watkins is yet to get off the mark this term, but he hit the target with his only effort of the game against Newcastle, before firing four shots wide of the mark against Brentford.

The 29-year-old scored 16 times in the Premier League last season, despite only starting 31 matches, and he averaged 1.1 shots on target per game.

Today's Football Fixtures

Watkins scored the fourth goal of his career against Palace at Villa Park last November, also forcing Eagles shot-stopper Dean Henderson into a save, and will be looking to help his side to a vital victory on Sunday.

Youri Tielemans (AVL) Total Shots - 2+

Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans only averaged 1.1 shots per game in the Premier League last season, but recorded a couple of efforts against Palace at Selhurst Park in February, a few months after shooting once against the Eagles in Birmingham.

Premier League Odds

The 28-year-old tried his luck twice at Brentford last Saturday and is likely to pull the trigger at least a couple of times this Sunday as Villa press for three points.

Total Corners Over/Under 9.5 - Over

This line landed in all four meetings last season.

There were 11 in the Carabao Cup tie at Villa Park last October, and the same number at the same venue the following month in the Premier League.

At Selhurst Park, 11 was the magic number again, and at Wembley, there were 13 taken.

Nine corners were awarded in Villa's opening league game against Newcastle, but 11 last time out at Brentford, and there were 13 taken in Palace's first away game at Chelsea on August 17.

Offers

Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

Opt in and build your own Bet Builder (3/1+) of 3+ legs on any Premier League game on Saturday and get 50% of your stake back in Free Bets up to £5 if you lose. (Credited within 24 hours)

Opt in and place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League match on Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s Premier League Matches.

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Get double or treble the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.