Prediction: Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Arsenal win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon and desperate to make another title statement, Arsenal will welcome Aston Villa to north London.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, left frustrated earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 thriller against German giants Bayern Munich, Arsenal will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, despite facing a tough Champions League challenge when they travel to the Allianz next week, Mikel Arteta’s young squad are enjoying a stellar domestic flurry since opening the New Year. Tipped as a leading title contender this season and receiving a string of plaudits from across the continent, the Gunners have collected 31 points from their previous 11 Premier League appearances. With the mood around north London at a continued high and not suffering a single defeat at the Emirates since the end of December, Arteta’s side will know the importance of making another statement here.

Team News

While attacking talisman Bukayo Saka might have appeared to pick up a late knock at home against Bayern Munich earlier in the week, the England international will spearhead Arsenal’s charge here. Coming off the bench and bagging a late Champions League equaliser on Tuesday night, former Brighton star Leandro Trossard could be handed a full recall.

While ex-Ajax defender Jurrien Timber might be inching towards a return from a long-term knee injury, the Dutch ace will not feature in north London. Former Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko could return at left-back and replace Jakub Kiwior.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, although Aston Villa might have opened the New Year with their sights set on clinching a famous Champions League ticket this season, Unai Emery’s men have a real uphill battle on their hands. While the Villains might have opened their Europa Conference League quarter-final with a lively 2-1 victory at home against French outfit Lille earlier in the week, the former Arsenal boss has seen his squad show some recent domestic inconsistencies. Last seen in top-flight action eventually having to settle for an action-packed 3-3 stalemate against Brentford, Aston Villa have collected just a single victory from any of their previous five Premier League appearances. Likewise, losing six of their last seven trips to the Emirates, Emery’s men are rightfully pencilled in as a major underdog here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective knee injuries, Aston Villa will travel to north London without the trio of Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and French international midfielder Boubacar Camara this weekend. Likewise, suffering a hamstring injury while away on international duties with Poland last month, Matty Cash is not expected to feature here.

Bagging a Europa Conference League quarter-final strike against Lille earlier in the week and continuing on what has been quite the free-scoring romp this season, Ollie Watkins will spearhead Emery’s attack on Sunday afternoon. England international Ezri Konsa should once again start at right-back in the capital.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Arsenal and Aston Villa met for their reverse Premier League showdown on December 9th, Sunday’s guests collected a 1-0 victory in the Midlands.
• However, Arsenal have won six of their previous seven showdowns against Aston Villa in north London.
• The Gunners have collected 31 points from their previous 11 Premier League appearances – a run that stems all the way back to New Year’s Eve.
• Aston Villa have claimed just a single victory from any of their previous five Premier League outings on either side of March’s international break.
• Arsenal have scored 19 goals in just their previous seven showdowns at the Emirates across all formats.

Conclusion

While Aston Villa might have claimed a gritty 1-0 victory when they welcomed Arsenal to the Midlands on December 9th, Emery faces a heavyweight challenge when he returns to north London here. Winning six of their previous seven home fixtures against Villa at the Emirates, the Gunners know the importance of making another title statement here. Despite suffering some Champions League frustration earlier in the week, we are backing a home victory on Sunday afternoon.

Verdict: Arsenal win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Luckster