Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Simply looking cut Liverpool’s buffer on Saturday evening, Arsenal will welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have suffered FA Cup heartbreak at the hands of Manchester United last weekend, Mikel Arteta’s side claimed an immediate response on Wednesday night. Clinching north London bragging rights as they secured a 2-1 victory against arch-rivals Tottenham, the Gunners will be desperate to use their midweek comeback as a platform to build on. Drawing a line under their three-match winless run, Arsenal are also seeking some crucial defensive steel. In fact, Saturday’s hosts have registered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. However, landing a 2-0 win when they travelled to the Midlands for their reverse Premier League showdown on August 24th.
Arsenal Team News
Sustaining a long-term knee injury against Manchester United last weekend, Brazilian marksman Gabriel Jesus faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Undergoing hamstring surgery last month, attacking talisman Bukayo Saka will once again miss out on Saturday evening.
While 17-year-old sensation Ethan Nwaneri might be inching towards a first-team return, Arsenal’s academy graduate is not expect to play any part here. Settling for a spot on the bench against Tottenham earlier in the week, Gabriel Martinelli could replace Raheem Sterling in the final third.
Aston Villa
As for the visitors, while Aston Villa might have signed off 2024 by winning just one of their final four Premier League appearances, Unai Emery’s men have come roaring back. Putting in a gritty performance earlier in the week as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Everton, the one-time Arsenal boss has seen his squad win each of their previous three appearances across all competitions. Extending on their respective FA Cup adventure last weekend as they secured a 2-1 win against West Ham, Saturday’s guests have reignited their Champions League charge. Making the trip to north London sat within touching distance of breaking into the top-four, Aston Villa will also be excited by their most recent trip to the Emirates. In fact, Emery’s side claimed a 2-0 victory when they last travelled to the Gunners back in April 2024.
Aston Villa Team News
Once again missing out away at Everton earlier in the week, Scotland international John McGann remains a doubt here. Likewise, expected to be complete a January switch away from Villa Park this month, former Sevilla defender Diego Carlos will not feature in north London.
Bagging the winner at Goodison Park in midweek and now finding the net in two of his previous three Premier League appearances, Ollie Watkins will keep his spot leading the line. Really impressing since making his return last month, Tyrone Mings will partner Ezri Konsa at the heart of Emery’s defence.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
- When Arsenal and Aston Villa met for their reverse Premier League showdown on August 24th, the Gunners collected a 2-0 victory at Villa Park.
- However, Emery’s side clinched their own 2-0 win when they last travelled to the Emirates back in April 2024.
- The Gunners have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last seven appearances across all competitions.
- Aston Villa have won their last three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-2.
- Arsenal have not suffered a single Premier League defeat at the Emirates so far this season.
Conclusion
Mounting an essential comeback against arch-rivals Tottenham earlier in the week as they claimed a 2-1 victory, Arsenal will know the importance of building on that momentum. However, despite landing a 2-0 win when they travelled to Villa Park for their reverse Premier League meeting on August 24th, Arteta’s men have shown some extended defensive issues. Recording just a single clean sheet from any of their previous seven showdowns across all competitions, Aston Villa could ask some questions here. With Saturday’s guests winning their last three appearances by an aggregate score of 5-2, they also secured a 2-0 victory when they travelled to the Emirates nine months ago.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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