David Prutton is backing Aston Villa to end their winless run in the Championship when they welcome Derby to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon. The Midlands outfit’s last league win came against Ipswich Town on January 26, but they’ve picked up only three points from the five games that followed – none of which include a win.
Dean Smith’s men currently sit 13th in the table with 45 points from 34 games. They’re eight points adrift of the playoffs with only 12 games remaining and time is fasting running out for them to move into the top-six. Villa have failed to score in three of their last five league games and only have one win to their name in 2019.
They face a Derby side whose own form has gone to pieces in recent weeks, with Frank Lampard’s men suffering two defeats and two draws from their last five games. The Rams are seventh in the table with 51 points from 33 games and could move into the playoffs with a win. Their away form (two points from a possible 12) could see them falling short, however.
David Prutton said on Sky Sports: “It’s five without a win now for Aston Villa and they have slipped right off the play-off pace. They are running out of time now and will need to win the vast majority of their games now to have any chance whatsoever.
“Derby have gone off the boil completely. They were playing with so much zip earlier in the season but have looked completely flat lately, especially at Nottingham Forest on Monday night. I’ll back Villa here.”
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