After defeating Manchester City 1-0 on Wednesday night at Villa Park, can Aston Villa now defeat Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday?
Unai Emery will have a chip on his shoulder having been sacked by Arsenal prior to Mikel Arteta taking over as manager.
It would be the best revenge for Emery if Aston Villa could somehow usurp Arsenal and Liverpool and lift a first-ever Premier League title.
Arteta’s Arsenal will go to Villa Park in good form. They won each of their last four league games.
Arsenal also won in midweek, coming from behind to defeat Luton Town 4-3, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Declan Rice.
The Premier League’s top four will begin round No. 16 separated by a mere six points. A win for either team would shake up the top four once more.
The Gunners are on a four-game winning streak against Aston Villa. Last season, Arsenal won 2-1 at the Emirates before going to Villa Park and winning 4-2 in a wild game.
Aston Villa are also in good form ahead of the fixture. The Villains went unbeaten in their last four league matches, winning three and drawing one.
Villa are the league’s joint-best home team. They won all seven of their home fixtures, scoring 24 times and conceding five goals.
While Aston Villa are the league’s joint-best home team, Arsenal are the best away team. Arteta’s squad have a record of 5W-1D-1L in seven away fixtures.
They scored 13 goals and conceded six times. Arsenal won their last two road fixtures.
Arteta will be without midfielder Fabio Vieira due to a groin strain. Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is out of action after suffering a calf injury.
Defensive midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the game due to a thigh problem.
Arteta is also missing long-term injured defender Jurrien Timber. Midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe will also miss the game through injury.
Emery has a nearly fully fit squad. However, midfielder Emi Buendia will be absent following knee surgery. Defender Tyrone Mings is also out due to a knee injury. Bertrand Traore will likely sit out the fixture following a muscle injury.
The odds will be stacked against Aston Villa to repeat their midweek win over Man City. The Villains didn’t just win against City. They dominated the match.
Arteta will know the trouble Emery’s tactics can make for the Gunners. He will have watched Aston Villa’s win over Man City and prepared the Gunners for the match. Arsenal should find a way to win like they did at Luton Town. Arsenal should win 3-1.
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