Reading were hoping for another Premiership scalp as the only remaining Championship side in the competition kicked off against Aston Villa in the FA Cup Quarter Finals this afternoon.
In my FA Cup tips I said to wait for an in-play bet as Reading would take the lead, leaving huge odds open for a Villa comeback win, and I hope plenty listened and took advantage with odds of up to 16/1 on offer – as this is exactly what happened.
Reading ran rampant against a tired and lost Aston Villa side in the first half. Long tucked away a close range header to open the scoring before sliding in his second a few minutes before half time. Reading were flying high and they looked on course to smash Villa and advance through to the Semi’s; winning a visit to Wembley.
At halftime the odds were big for a Villa win with the exchanges throwing out odds upwards of 16/1 ( Pounds 160 profit for a Pounds 10 bet). It didn’t look like Villa had anything in them in the first half, but their faithful fans and us big gamblers were hoping for a dressing room shake up, and that’s just what happened as an explosive Villa side began the second half.
They pulled one back within the first minute of the second half when Young slipped in from close range and then Carew grabbed a brace before the hour mark to force Villa into the lead. Reading looked shocked and shaken and clearly didn’t know what to do as they saw their lead slip through their fingers and the hope of a Wembley spot drift away.
The home side did find a fight later on and Ashley Young turned savior for Villa when clearing a shot off the line following a corner. More corners followed as the pressure piled on, with Reading desperate for an equalizer and looking threatening. In the end The Royals couldn’t find a goal and Villa topped off their performance when Carew converted a penalty in stoppage time, a hat-trick for him and a 4-2 win for Villa.
A good day for anyone who followed the tips, and for me, who certainly followed them (with bets after 1-0 and 2-0). Keep your eyes open for anymore predictions.