As a team challenging in the top four of the Premier League, Aston Villa obviously have a number of impressive aspects to their play.

Their style of play, a very high line, and a high press to go alongside it, means that a lot of their play is in their opponents’ half. This has meant that the Villains have a lot of shots, have a good shot on target ratio, and generate high xG numbers.

Indeed, Villa rank inside the top six for xG created, shots on target, and big chances. A test for a Middlesbrough defence which, in terms of goal conceded, looks poor, but, in terms of chances conceded is actually one of the better defences in the Championship. Middlesbrough have been on the end of more brilliant, low-xG goals, than would be expected at this stage of the season.

Part of Middlesbrough’s problem has been their home form, with only 14 goals scored in 13 home matches in the league. They have found it difficult against packed defences, something, however, they will not encounter with Villa. This could give the likes of Morgan Rogers, Isaiah Jones, and Emmanuel Latte Lath the space in behind that they crave, but rarely receive in the Championship.

This is no easy task for Villa, especially with their away record not matching their home record, and the potential for rotation in their playing squad.

Ollie Watkins is the standout player in terms of Aston Villa’s attacking output. However, Emery may see this as an ideal time to give his main striker a rest. If so, Jhon Duran could lead the line and it is harder to get an accurate reading on his work given his lack of playing time. However, on limited minutes, he seems to get a lot of shots away.

Nicolo Zaniolo had a run in the team on his arrival, but has had more of a rotation role of late. Should the Italian start he offers some nice value, but wait for the team news before backing him. He averages 3.4 shots per game, even more than Watkins, and picking him to take three shots here would pay well.

Another one to back if he features is Leander Dendoncker. The former Wolves man is a threat from set pieces, as well as the opportunity he may get from central midfield in open play, He is often a goal threat, scoring at Old Trafford over Christmas, and is priced nicely for a couple of shots.

For Middlesbrough, Isaiah Jones could be the ace in the pack. He is priced way lower than the likes of Latte Lath and Sam Greenwood, but is likely to start on the right of the attack. His pace is going to be a key weapon against Villa’s line, and though he is right-footed and plays on the right, his shot numbers of late have been good.

Jones has taken at least one shot in eight consecutive matches, half of those matches have seen him take three shots as well, a 4/1 shot in this match.

Middlesbrough are one of the highest corner volume teams in the Championship with almost 12 per match that they are involved in.

They usually have the advantage at home by around 2 corners per match, but intriguingly Aston Villa actually have a very good away corner ratio themselves, despite their poorer away record.

It is difficult to predict which team may have the upper hand on the number of corners that they get in this one, it is obviously highly dependent on game state as well, but that does make the price on Middlesbrough to win most corners an appealing one given the size of the price.

The overs market on corners is worth a look as well given the data from both Middlesbrough and Aston Villa’s seasons so far.

All of Aston Villa’s regular midfielders have a number of cards to their name already this season. This indicates that the system is designed for them to stop any dangerous attacks down the middle before they get started.

With Jonny Howson and Dan Barlaser in the Middlesbrough midfield being able to get the home side ticking, it would not be a surprise to see a Villa midfielder pressing onto them very hard.

Jhon Duran has four yellows this season from only 9 fouls and around 200 minutes of play. If he starts he could be a big contender for a yellow card, but again, wait for the team news before backing this one.

From a Middlesbrough perspective, Howson has been mentioned already as potentially being in a midfield battle, and he leads Middlesbrough’s card count despite missing the first few games of the season.

Morgan Rogers has also got a few cautions to his name, and his foul count is high compared to his minutes on the field.