Aston Villa’s Odds to Win EPL Listed at 1000-1 After Promotion
- Playoff victory against Derby County at Wembley
- No promoted team has won title since Nottingham Forest in 1977-78
- Big spending required after three seasons out of EPL
Aston Villa celebrated winning promotion to the EPL on Monday but it will require a remarkable and historic achievement for them to win the title in their first season back.
After their 2-1 victory over Derby County in the EFL Championship Playoff final at Wembley Stadium in London, Villa were given massive +100000 (1,000-1) Premier League odds to win the elite English competition next year.
Odds to Win EPL 2019-2020
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Manchester City | -165 |
| Liverpool | +275 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | +1200 |
| Manchester United | +1400 |
| Chelsea | +2000 |
| Arsenal | +2500 |
| Wolves | +10000 |
| Bournemouth | +50000 |
| Watford | +50000 |
| West Ham United | +50000 |
| Aston Villa | +100000 |
*Odds taken 05/27/2019.
No team has finished in first place in England’s top flight in the campaign after winning promotion since Nottingham Forest in 1977-78.
There is, however, one recent near-precedent which might inspire a brave, if fanciful, bet on Villa.
Leicester’s Astonishing Triumph
Leicester City’s astonishing EPL title triumph in 2015-16 came just two seasons after they had finished on top of the second tier Championship in 2013-14.
Leicester had begun the season quoted in England at +500000 or 5000-1 odds to win the EPL title.
A one-season wonder act by Villa after three seasons away from the EPL is massively unlikely. A bet on a top 10 finish could be more productive.
To every single one of you who has backed us this season…
THANK YOU. 🙏 #PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/AOc1UN9ebh
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 27, 2019
Their win is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the English game.
So a one-season wonder act by Villa after three seasons away from the EPL is massively unlikely. A bet on a top 10 finish could be more productive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2ALL1yCY6U
Wolves Made Quick Impact
Villa will take inspiration in at least making an impact in the EPL from their Midlands neighbors Wolves.
Wolves claimed seventh place last season after finishing six years outside of the EPL.
However, it was the first time any newly-promoted team had finished in the top 10 of the EPL since Reading were eighth in 2007-08.
Managed by a boyhood Villa fan.
Captained by a boyhood Villa fan.@AVFCOfficial – coming back to the #PL 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ePWtQcEoLI— Premier League (@premierleague) May 27, 2019
Much will now depend at Villa on the level of funding that is provided for new signings to build a squad capable of competing in the Premier League.
The club already has one major asset in its 48-year-old coach Dean Smith, who is now regarded as one of the rising stars of management in England.
Record-Breaking Ten-Win Streak
He inspired Villa to a record run of ten-straight wins in the Championship towards the end of the regular season which meant they finished in fifth place and earned a spot in the playoffs.
They then defeated local rivals West Bromwich Albion in a two-legged semifinal to earn their Wembley date against Derby.
Last season two of the newly promoted teams, Fulham and Cardiff City were relegated back to the Championship. Huddersfield Town joined them after only two seasons in the Premier League.
Pick: Aston Villa Top 10 Finish in 2019-20
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
