Gerard Houllier's Villa side will be determined to win it for their manager this weekend
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Gerard Houllier's relationship with the Aston Villa fans and players has been the subject of plenty of debate since he arrived at the club this season but I expect everyone to be pulling in the same direction when they play Stoke City on Saturday.
The Frenchman is recovering in hospital after a health scare and if anything is going to lift Villa then knowing their manager is struggling a little could be the key.
They are almost certainly safe from relegation, with 40 points already, and they will fancy their chances of winning a match at home with Stoke anyway and that's before you think about the situation Stoke are in themselves.
Cambers' Calls
- Bet of the weekend: Aston Villa to beat Stoke - 4/5 bet3365
- Weekend punt: Everton to win at Manchester United - 13/2 bet365
- Weekend treble - Liverpool, Tottenham and Wolves to win - 9/2 bet365
Tony Pulis's side are not quite safe yet but they should be fine and their focus is already on next month's FA Cup final - their first appearance in the final. So it would hardly be a surprise if there were to be some form of let-down this weekend.
There have been signs lately that Villa are playing more like themselves again and the fact that many of their players may be trying to engineer moves in the summer could also inspire them to a big performance. At 4-5, they are an excellent price and have to be the bet of the weekend.
It's tempting to think that Arsenal may slip up at Bolton this weekend given the way things have been going in recent games but I don't think so. Instead, for the weekend punt I believe Everton can cause a bit of a shock by getting something at Old Trafford.
United are on the verge of a record 19th title but with matches against Arsenal and Chelsea to come, they know they cannot afford any slip-ups. And though they have won their last four at home against Everton, something tells me this won't be easy.
Everton are on a run of seven unbeaten games and are desperate to finish above Liverpool and who knows, maybe even squeeze a European place out of this season. They are confident and like being underdogs.
United have a brilliant home record this season but everything is there to be broken so let's go for the ultimate and say Everton can win this one, at 13/2 with bet365.
For the weekend treble, Liverpool can end a poor run against Birmingham with victory at Anfield at 4/9. Tottenham should be too good for West Brom at White Hart Lane at 4/7 and bottom side Wolves could get a vital three points against Fulham, at 6/4.
That treble works out at 9/2, which is not too bad for what should be too bankers and is three home games. Good luck!
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent
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Simon Cambers
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant
