Steven Gerrard Betting Specials: New Aston Villa manager 80/1 to do the double over Liverpool
After a poor run of results, losing five on the bounce, Aston Villa decided to pull the plug on their fairytale story with boyhood Villa fan, Dean Smith.
In walks his replacement, you might have heard of him?
It’s only bloody Steven Gerrard!
The Liverpool and Premier League icon returns to take charge of the club with whom he scored the most goals against during his playing days.
Throughout his time at Rangers, Gerrard developed a strong rapport with the fans, getting the famous Glasgow club playing some fantastic football, and becoming a force within their own country, and in the Europa League.
Gerrard led Rangers to the league title last season, and whilst that may not be the immediate priority with his new club, the Villa faithful will be hoping for a revival, leading to better times on the horizon.
Stevie G’s move has sparked intrigue all round, and SkyBet have priced up specials for the great man, some of which we’ll dive into now.
Aston Villa to finish in the top half of the Premier League: 9/2
Villa currently lie in 16th place in the Premier League, level on points with Watford (10), and having scored just 14 goals from 11 games.
Gerrard’s intention with playing on the front-foot with Rangers is one that you think will follow him to Villa Park. If he can get key players such as Danny Ings, Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins firing on all cylinders, then there’s no reason why he can’t lead Villa comfortably to the top half; boosted to 9/2 from 7/2.
Aston Villa to be relegated from the PL (21/22) and win the Championship (22/23): 20/1
As we’ve seen with some managers taking over clubs, notably Gerrard’s old boss Rafa Benitez at Newcastle, it can take time for a new gaffer to implement his ideas.
The pressure will be on at Villa to deliver results, but perhaps a season in the Championship may not be such a bad thing.
There’s still plenty to play for this season, but any injuries to important players could leave his side fighting it out to avoid relegation.
Should the worst happen to Villa this season, you’d expect the calibre of squad at the club to fire them straight back up at the first attempt.
Gerrard to be the next Premier League manager to leave: 33/1
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is currently the favourite in this market, but you get a sense that Man Utd won’t do anything unless their beloved top-four place is in serious jeopardy.
Stranger things have happened in the Premier League, but if Gerrard was to seriously fail in his first few games in charge, then the pressure could really be on.
You’d have to think something would have to go seriously wrong for Stevie G to leave next, but you never know in this league!
Aston Villa to beat Liverpool home and away in the league this season: 80/1
It’s written in the stars isn’t it?
The prodigal son returns home and puts a major dent in Liverpool’s title chances. Villa play away at Anfield on the 11th of December, an occasion which is surely going to be emotional for all involved, but Villa’s record against Jurgen Klopp’s side isn’t overly dreadful.
They’ve won two of their last five against them, one being that incredible 7-2 thumping.
As stated earlier, if Gerrard can get his attacking players performing in unison, they could cause problems for any side in the league, and 80/1 could prove a generous price.
Villa to go unbeaten in the Premier League until 1st January 2022: 250/1
On the surface, you look at this and think, 250/1 for five weeks of football? I’ll take my chances on that!
Which you may well think, but when you dig a little bit deeper and look at Villa’s fixtures until the New Year, you may backtrack a little bit.
You find that they have to face Man City, Liverpool, Leicester and Chelsea, as well as some tough games against teams that are currently around them in the league.
It’ll take a lot for a team who’s lost five on the spin to pull that off, but if you truly believe in the new manager bounce, 250/1 might be a price that you can’t resist.
