Arsenal vs Aston Villa – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Arsenal host Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Sunday. The clash is key in the title race and the battle for the top four. Villa have won four of their last eight meetings with the Gunners, including 1-0 in December.

Arsenal Form

The Gunners have been in excellent form in the league. Their last 11 matches have only seen two points dropped and they largely settled for a draw in that match: a 0-0 at Man City with just one shot on target allowed. They followed that with a 2-0 home win over Luton.

Last weekend, they went to Brighton and ended their 12-match unbeaten run in the league. Arsenal won 3-0 with 3.39 xG created and just 0.53 xG allowed. In midweek, the Gunners came from 2-1 down to draw 2-2 with Bayern Munich at the Emirates. They only put up 1.00 xG and allowed 1.92 xG to Die Roten.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta is still without Jurrien Timber but he has no other injury concerns. There could be fresh legs used in this match with the Bayern second leg on the horizon.

Oleks Zinchenko is set to come into the XI and Takehiro Tomiyasu could get a rare start. Jorginho could be rested in midfield and Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus are set to start. The duo combined for the equaliser in the last match.

Arsenal Motivation

This is a very demanding week for Arsenal. They need a win here but also somehow need to be fresh for next Wednesday’s clash in Munich.

Arteta’s side could look to start fast, get a goal, and then conserve energy by focusing on protecting that lead.

Aston Villa Form

Villa have been beaten just twice in 11 matches. After three successive league wins and a 0-0 draw at Ajax, they lost 4-0 at home to Tottenham. Unai Emery’s side showed their character to respond with a 4-0 home win over Ajax to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

A late equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at West Ham before a 2-0 home win over Wolves. A 4-1 loss at Man City with a depleted XI saw Villa outclassed. Last weekend, they threw away a 2-0 lead in a 3-3 home draw vs Brentford. A 2-1 win on Thursday at home to Lille gives them a lead in their European tie.

Aston Villa Team News

Unai Emery remains without his three long-term injury victims in Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, and Boubacar Kamara. Jacob Ramsey will also play no further part this season in midfield.

Douglas Luiz is suspended in midfield and Matty Cash is a big doubt at right back. Ezri Konsa will play at fullback but there is no clear replacement for Luiz. Emery may hand a rare start to youngster Tim Iroegbunam.

Aston Villa Motivation

Villa have their Lille second leg next Thursday and may start this match three points adrift of Spurs, depending on the latter’s result.

That could turn this into a must-win match. It’s not clear where Emery’s focus will be as he takes Europe so seriously.

Key Stats

Arsenal have won 11 of their last 14 matches (41 goals scored)

Arsenal have 4 clean sheets in their last 5 matches.

Villa have won 3 of their last 6 meetings between these clubs.

Aston Villa have lost just 2 of their last 11 matches.

Villa have lost just 1 of their last 6 away EPL matches (DWWWDL)

Verdict

Arsenal simply have to win this match. They have more options to rotate their side and fewer players unavailable for this clash. That should give them the edge, but finding value isn’t easy for this clash.

Best Bet: Arsenal win to zero a 2.20

Goalscorer Tip: Leandro Trossard to score anytime at 2.20

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis