Reading V Aston Villa Betting: FA Cup Quarter-Final

FA Cup: Quarter-Final

Reading V Aston Villa

Kick-Off: Sunday, 7^th March – 13:45 GMT

TV Coverage: ITV1

Reading

FA Cup Odds: 50/1 Coral

The competitions giant-killers, Reading, try their hand at some more brutality when they attempt to overhaul an Aston Villa side which will be reeling after their Carling Cup final defeat a week to the day ago. While the Reading players and staff will show plenty of respect for their more glamorous opponents, there will be no sympathy shown towards their Quarter-Final rivals as Reading look to compound Villa’s misery by sending the Premiership to their second cup defeat in quick succession. 

Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom have all faltered against Reading, so is it now the turn of Aston Villa to face the wrath of the Madjeski club. It’s been a venue where Reading have yet to lose a game at in the FA Cup this season, which is a given as they’re still standing, but it’s also a place where the players haven’t exactly been convincing, although that has changed in recent weeks. Before February Reading had managed just one league win since the turn of the new year and had managed just one measly home victory. However, their breathtaking run in the FA Cup has led to the rebirth of the club, and the Madjeski, as Reading have now gone three games unbeaten at home in The Championship, with all three being wins. 

Their home form has completely turned around and it’s largely been down to this morale booming run in this competition as it’s lifted the confidence levels of the players. Not only have they won three on the spin at The Madjeski whilst in league action but they’ve also remained unbeaten in three tough home outings in this tournament, drawing with both Liverpool (1-1) and West Brom (2-2) whilst beating Burnley 1-0 in between. Moreover, goals are beginning to arrive thick and fast and their latest showing, a 5-0 romp at home to Sheffield Wednesday, will have done the team the world of good as their momentum keeps on building in what is a crucial part of the season; both in regards to The Champions and survival and the FA Cup. 

While avoiding relegation back in The Championship is the clubs main priority, securing a berth into the Semi’s wouldn’t be too far behind, but this does look a mammoth task. Their form is ideal though, while they are finding their way in front of goal, so perhaps Reading’s run in the FA Cup isn’t quite over just yet, although another huge performance must come out of the hat in order to survive their latest Premiership examination.

Aston Villa

FA Cup Odds: 9/2 bWin

There is no doubting Martin O’Neill has the talent at his disposal to overpower Reading, a Championship outfit, but the question is just how much that defeat in the Carling Cup final took out of his players in what was a draining affair, both physically and mentally. The best tonic after a cruchsing defeat such as the one they suffered on Sunday is to win your very next outing, but their very next fixture is one of just as much importance, so will this young crop of potential stars have the mental strength to overcome their latest setback, or will their woes stretch further than just a Carling Cup heartache?

While the Villa team is still fairly young, at least in comparison to most side currently in the Premier League, they have matured greatly over the years and should have the strength of mind to put their defeat in the Carling Cup behind them and concentrate on the next task at hand as the Carling Cup was still way down on their list of objectives for the season. Finishing in the top four will be their priority now and they are in a prominent position to at least mount a serious challenge, while the FA Cup won’t be too far behind. Both are and were way above winning the Carling Cup so Villa need to do a quick assessment of what is still a prosperous season still to play.

Martin O’Neill was bitterly disappointed with some of the going-on’s on Sunday, but we won’t delve into all that. Instead, though, we would like to praise the blistering pace Villa came out of the blocks at, sprinting into a 1-0 lead via a James Milner penalty. However, a lack of final experience perhaps led to Richard Dunne gifting United an equaliser and Villa’s early dominance seemed a thing of the past as while the team in purple did look dangerous when striding forward, they imposing themselves enough in the midfield and were evidentially overran in the middle of the park. Villa remained a constant threat on the counter but it’s a dangerous game relying purely on counter-attacks for goals, and where they allowed United to dictate the majority of the play from midfield was scary, and a reality check that Villa still haven’t matured enough for us.

However, Reading and Manchester United are a different kettle of fish, and much like Horse Racing where a Horse appreciates the step down in class, so should Aston Villa on Sunday. After a gruelling day out at Wembley on Sunday, Villa can now try their luck against an inferior opponent to their last in Championship side Reading, where Villa could face their demons with victory at The Madjeski as the Semi-Finals will be played at Wembley. We have no qualms about the quality at the club and that should they apply themselves in the proper manner, they should progress past this ‘awkward’ Reading tester. However, the questions remain over whether the Villa players, much of whom are still fairly young in their careers, can overcome their final heartache just a week ago. Should they do so their victory should be theirs.

Match Verdict: Aston Villa to WIN – 1.85 bWin

Martin O’Neill boast far too much quality over his opposite number to even consider a lay of Aston Villa. This Reading defence has been unconvincing all season and will be found wanting against the pace and trickery of some of Villa’s young starlets; James Milner, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, while the physical presence of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor in the box should be too much for the Reading defence to keep on top of. For us, Reading would need to land the first blow in order to make this interesting. If Villa make a speedy start like they did at Carling Cup, there should be no looking back barring any mistakes. A back of Reading looks speculative, while Aston Villa look a far safer punt.

Our Bet: Over 3.5 Goals – 3.75 Boylesports

Reading were emphatic in their last home outing, smashing five past Sheffield Wednesday, while Aston Villa have an array of striking talent that it’s hard to see this tie not producing a few goals. We were tempted to back Villa to score 4 or more but opted instead for an all round total of 4 Goals or More as Reading, with the aid of a capacity home crowd, could quite easily get on the score sheet while Aston Villa should find scoring a breeze after watching some of Reading’s defensive displays this season. The Reading defence won’t like the pace Villa have to offer and we would genuinely be shocked if Villa didn’t stick a good few past Federici in the Reading goal.

Match Odds:

Reading – 4.30 PaddyPower

Draw – 3.60 BlueSquare

Aston Villa – 1.85 bWin