Aston Villa vs Arsenal tips and predictions: High-flying clash could end in stalemate
Mikel Arteta
Table-toppers Arsenal won't have it easy against a rampant Aston Villa side in the Saturday evening kick-off (1730 GMT).
It's unlikely many Arsenal fans would have expected to come into this fixture with Aston Villa breathing down their neck. But following the superb 1-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday night this is now a top of the table clash.
Aston Villa are now unbeaten in 14 home league matches and Arsenal won't be fancying this trip to Birmingham as they bid to extend their lead over Liverpool in second and the Villans in third.
However, Arsenal will take solace that they were the last team to beat Villa in the league at home way back in February, when a late bizarre Emi Martinez own goal and a Gabriel Martinelli strike grabbed the points.
Arsenal come into this clash after stretching their winning sequence in all competitions to six matches.
Although after late drama against Luton on Tuesday night, Wolves at the weekend and Burnley in early November, it has hardly been cruise control for the wannabe champions.
Declan Rice's clutch goal against the Hatters broke many a heart in Bedfordshire and their performance certainly won't have Villa quaking in their boots…especially if wobbly David Raya is still in goal.
However, Aston Villa's recent record against Arsenal hasn't been great.
They've lost the last four, with their last win coming in a 1-0 win in February 2021. Although that was at the end of a three-game hoodoo the Villans held over Arsenal stretching back to July 2020.
But all told four wins for Villa in the last 20 encounters with Arsenal does not make for good reading.
What this clash also doesn't like is a draw. You have to go all the way back to 2012 for one of them, a 0-0 in the days when Gabby Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke roamed the Villa frontline.
But maybe with so much at stake the two clubs might cancel themselves out, so a draw might be of appeal. They've got to roll snake eyes eventually...surely?
Emery's side ended a 10-game run without a clean sheet in the win over Manchester City, but we are not expecting that to stretch much further than one game.
Goals are a big deal in this fixture too. With under 1.5 goals only coming up three times in the last ten.
So goals and late drama are probably the way to go given the way both sides are currently playing.
Ollie Watkins has four goals in the last six against Arsenal, while Martinelli scored the winners in the last two meetings. Either of those forwards should be on your build-a-bet too.
Team news
Leon Bailey didn't leave the pitch in great shape against Man City and might be a doubt for the Arsenal clash, but Moussa Diaby would be a willing replacement.
Bertrand Traore, Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings are all still out.
Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss out again and joins Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber on the treatment table.
Mikel Arteta will also be in the stands after picking his third yellow card of the season in the last-gasp win over Luton.
Whether Arteta swaps David Raya for Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks will be the decision everyone is keeping an eye on.
Key stats
- Villa unbeaten in eight home games across all competitions
- Teams last drew in 2012
- Villa have only won this fixture four times in last 20
- Arsenal have won six on the bounce in all competitions
Predictions
- Villa v Arsenal - draw
- Over 1.5 goals
- Ollie Watkins to score
