Prediction: Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Arsenal win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on what has been a stellar start to the 2022/23 campaign, Arsenal will welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have just missed out on clinching a Champions League return back in May, the Gunners have really come flying out of the traps this time around. Managing to mount a second-half comeback against Premier League returners Fulham over the weekend as they snatched a 2-1 victory on home soil, Mikel Arteta’s men have only continued to gain a string of plaudits since opening the 2022/23 campaign. Skyrocketing their way to the top of the table, the north London outfit have won each of their first four Premier League contests. Likewise, the only top-flight team that can boast a 100% start to the new season, Arsenal should be smelling the chance to lay down another marker in midweek. It should also be highlighted, continuing on from the summer break, Wednesday’s hosts have won each of their previous five showdowns at the Emirates. In the midst of a stellar purple patch, Arteta’s side find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.

Team News

Both missing out against Fulham over the weekend, Arsenal are sweating over the fitness of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey here. Likewise, missing the Gunners’ last three Premier League outings, Reiss Nelson is not expected to make his return in midweek.

Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu could replace Ben White at right-back on Wednesday night.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, while there might have been plenty of excitement around the Midlands when Steven Gerrard arrived at Villa Park back in November, the Clarets are in the midst of an extended rut. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with a toothless 1-0 loss at home against fellow strugglers West Ham, the former Rangers boss finds growing pressure on his shoulders. Opening up the 2022/23 campaign with a shock 2-0 loss away at Bournemouth, Wednesday’s guests will be more than aware that they face a huge task in north London. Losing three of their first four Premier League outings, Villa have shown some extended issues on either side of the summer break. In fact, Gerrard’s downbeat squad have managed to win just a trio of their last 15 top-flight outings, a run that stems all the way back to March. Likewise, including a 3-1 loss in their last trip to the Emirates, Villa have lost back-to-back meetings against the Gunners.

Team News

After missing Sunday’s 1-0 loss against West Ham due to illness, Aston Villa are hoping that England international Tyrone Mings will be able to make his return here.

Struggling to find any form since opening the 2022/23 campaign, ex-Barcelona superstar Philippe Coutinho could be replaced by Emiliano Buendia on Wednesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 3-1 victory when they last welcomed Aston Villa to the Emirates 10 months ago, Arsenal have picked up back-to-back wins against Wednesday’s opponents.
• The Gunners have won each of their opening four Premier League matchups by an aggregate score of 11-3.
• Likewise, Arteta’s side are the only top-flight outfit that can boast a 100% start to the 2022/23 campaign.
• Continuing on from last season, Aston Villa have managed to win just a trio of their last 15 Premier League showdowns.
• Gerrard’s side have also secured just a single top-flight victory from their last seven top-flight contests on the road.

Conclusion

Mounting that stellar second-half comeback at home against Fulham over the weekend, Arsenal find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Opening the Premier League campaign with four victories on the spin, the Gunners are the only top-flight side that can boast a 100% start to the new season. Skyrocketing their way to the top of the table, there is no doubt that Arteta’s high-flying squad should be smelling another golden chance on Wednesday night. Watching Aston Villa get hit with a sluggish 1-0 loss at home against West Ham over the weekend, the midweek guests are enduring an extended blip. Managing to win just a trio of their last 15 Premier League outings and with growing pressure on Gerrard’s shoulders, we’re backing a home victory here.

Verdict: Arsenal win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Unibet