Villa beat Express 2:0 in the third round of the Premier League regular season on Wednesday. The result moved the hosts into fifth place with four points, while Express remained sixth on three points after their first defeat.
P. Kakande opened the scoring early, finding the net in the fourth minute and following it up a minute later. The double gave Villa a cushion they never looked like surrendering. A third goal came in stoppage time, though the scorer was not recorded.
Express controlled the ball with 61 per cent possession and registered more attacks, but Villa were sharper on target. Both sides hit the woodwork three times, but the hosts converted when it mattered. Things came to a head in the opening five minutes, and that proved decisive.
Our prediction had Villa winning with 64 per cent confidence. The early goals settled the contest before Express could get rhythm. Villa never got going in the second half, but the foundation was laid.
Villa's recent form shows resilience after a loss and a draw in their opening two games. Express had won their opener but lost their last outing. This result tightens the gap at the top of the table to just one point.