Villa Success Blows Open Premier Odds

Aston Villa's scintillating form, combined with Arsenal's disappointing run of results, have blown the odds for English Premier League's top four wide open with UK bookmakers.

The four power clubs of English football - Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - have been so dominant in recent years, that the last time any other club broke through for a top four finish and a crack at European glory was the 2004-05 season, when Everton finished three points ahead of their arch-rivals Liverpool.

But a string of surprise losses has Arsenal currently sitting in fifth place on 30 points from 17 games, four points behind third-placed Villa, and with a Sunday match-up with table-topping Liverpool to add to manager Arsene Wenger's concerns. Although Villa is third on the ladder, they have benefited from playing two games more than fourth-placed Manchester United.

As a result, William Hill are offering odds of 13/8 for Aston Villa to be in the top four at season's end, presumably at the expense of Arsenal. Villa have firmed to 66/1 for the premiership, still a long way behind the big four, with second-placed Chelsea at evens, Manchester United 7/4, Liverpool 9/2 and Arsenal considered a long-shot at 20/1.

Aston Villa is well ahead in the odds for which team will finish highest when excluding the big four, with William Hill offering 1/3. Everton 13/2, Tottenham 10/1 and Manchester City 12/1 are the other hopefuls, although the latter two will have to make up a lot of ground after disappointing starts to the season.