David Prutton has predicted Aston Villa to pick up a narrow win over Derby when the two teams clash on Saturday in the Championship.
Both teams are still in the promotion picture with two games remaining in the season and desperately need the points
Steve Bruce’s side know that a spot in the play-offs is secure, but they still have an outside shot of obtaining automatic promotion if they win both matches and results go in their favour.
Meanwhile, Derby are sixth-placed in the league standings and occupy the final spot in the play-offs.
Gary Rowett’s men will be buoyed by a win over Cardiff in their last match, but had suffered three consecutive defeats in the build up to that.
Sky Sports pundit Prutton has tipped Villa to earn a 1-0 victory at home to Midland rivals Derby and keep up their good momentum.
“Derby had lost three on the spin before their midweek win over Cardiff, which shows how brilliantly they did to rally and claim all three points. It was a massive result in their play-off pursuit,” Prutton wrote in his column for Sky Sports.
“Aston Villa’s chances of automatic promotion are slim but all they can do is keep winning and hope the sides above them slip up. Either way, Steve Bruce will want them to continue their momentum and I think they’ll sneak the win.”
OPINION
It is crucial that Villa try end on a high in their final two league matches, as form going into the play-offs can quite often determine the winner. Bruce’s side have won four of their last five matches and appear to be hitting a purple patch of form at the perfect moment. Their success this season has been built on a solid defence and they also have players in the final third that can hurt opponents. Villa suffered a 2-0 away loss in the first meeting with Derby earlier this season and would love to get some revenge.