Two Premier League teams struggling for form will lock horns at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon when Aston Villa play host to Watford.
The Villans will be seeking revenge against the Hornets, who secured a 3-2 victory at Vicarage Road in the reverse fixture back in August.
Match preview
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After a bright start to his reign as Aston Villa manager, winning four of his opening six matches, Steven Gerrard has since endured a difficult spell, with his side claiming only one win in their last seven across all competitions, including four defeats.
Their most recent disappointment came against a resurgent Newcastle United side, who secured a 1-0 win at St James' Park courtesy of a Kieran Trippier free kick, which condemned the Villans to their 12th Premier League defeat of the campaign.
Villa, who are currently positioned 12th in the table, are now sitting as many points behind the European places as they are above the relegation zone, with 10 points separating them from Wolverhampton Wanderers in seventh and Norwich City in 18th.
Gerrard's side head into Saturday's game as one of only three teams in the Premier League to score in every home fixture this season. While their form in front of goal at Villa Park has been impressive, their defensive frailties have been costly, as they have conceded 18 goals in their last eight top-flight home matches, one more than in their previous 17 combined. As a result, Villa have only won two of their last eight league games on home soil.
Nevertheless, Villa will be confident of returning to winning ways against Watford, who they have only lost once against in their last nine home league meetings.
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The appointment of Roy Hodgson is yet to turn Watford's fortunes around, with the 74-year-old steering his new side to just one point from a possible nine available.
A goalless draw at Burnley and a narrow 1-0 loss at West Ham United were followed by a 2-0 home defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
The Hornets have now failed to score in their last four matches, including three under Hodgson, and have also failed to win any of their last 12 league games since beating Manchester United 4-1 in November, which is currently the longest winless run in the division.
After Newcastle United's third win on the bounce, Watford now sit six points adrift of safety, having played the same number of games as the Magpies in 17th place.
Spirits will be low at Vicarage Road, but Saturday's fixture against Aston Villa could boost their morale as they have an impressive record against the Villans; the Hornets have won four of their last five league meetings against Villa, including a 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture back in August.
With tricky encounters against Man United and Arsenal soon to come, Hodgson will be keen to see his side claim maximum points this weekend and build much-needed momentum heading into the final third of the campaign.
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Team News
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Aston Villa will be without the suspended Ezri Konsa, while Bertrand Traore (hamstring) and Marvelous Nakamba (knee) remain sidelined with injuries.
Following last weekend's defeat, Gerrard may decide to make changes to his starting lineup, though a back four of Matty Cash, Calum Chambers, Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne is set to remain intact, shielding goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The fine form of midfielder Jacob Ramsey should also see him remain in the first XI, but Morgan Sanson could be selected ahead of either Douglas Luiz and John McGinn.
Danny Ings, who has scored four goals in his last three Premier League games against Watford, will be hoping to force his way into the first XI ahead of Ollie Watkins, who has failed to score in his last six appearances.
As for Watford, they will be without Peter Etebo, Nicolas Nkoulou, Rob Elliott and Kwadwo Baah due to injury.
Star winger Ismaila Sarr, who scored against Villa in the reverse fixture, could return to the first XI at the expense of Juraj Kucka, while Joao Pedro will be looking to replace either Josh King or Emmanuel Dennis.
January signings Hassane Kamara and Edo Kayembe have both started all three games under Hodgson, and the pair are set to retain their places this weekend at left-back and in centre-midfield respectively.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Sanson, Ramsey; Buendia, Ings, Coutinho
Watford possible starting lineup:
Foster; Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Sissoko, Kayembe, Cleverley; Sarr, King, Dennis
We say: Aston Villa 2-1 Watford
Aston Villa's leaky backline should provide Watford with a decent chance of ending their four-game drought without a goal. However, the hosts will head into Saturday's fixture as the favourites and they should have enough quality in their side to claim all three points.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Aston Villa win with a probability of 43.05%. A win for Watford had a probability of 30.58% and a draw had a probability of 26.4%.
The most likely scoreline for an Aston Villa win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.94%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.85%) and 2-0 (7.72%). The likeliest Watford win was 0-1 (8.89%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.53%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with an 8.9% likelihood.
