Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Time – India: 12:45 AM (Monday); UK: 07:15 PM (Sunday)
Venue: The Emirates
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Arsenal produced a big performance at Old Trafford after back-to-back defeats in the league and their 1-0 win over Manchester United was a massive result for Mikel Arteta’s side.
It was their first league win away to Manchester United in 14 years and further solidified Arteta’s reputation of getting things right against the big teams. It also moved them to the top half of the table and they are ninth in the standings, just two points off fourth place.
On the other hand, Aston Villa made a brilliant start to the season but they are now looking to get back on track after losing back-to-back games against Leeds United and Southampton, conceding seven goals in the process.
The Villans are still in a very good position at the start of the campaign but Dean Smith will be desperate to avoid a third defeat on the trot at Arsenal on Sunday.
Both the teams are level on points with each other and have the motivation to get things right, when the two meet at the Emirates this weekend.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Head-to-Head
Total games: 195
Arsenal wins: 83
Aston Villa wins: 67
Draws: 45
Arsenal have an overall superior record over the Villans since the two sides first met in a competitive game in 1904.
Aston Villa returned to the Premier League after three years last year and both the games against the Gunners were competitive. Arsenal scored a narrow 3-2 win at the Emirates but Villa won at home when they met last in July.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Recent form
Arsenal: W-W-W-L-W
Aston Villa: L-L-W-W-L
Arsenal have won four of their last five games in all competitions but their win over Manchester United last weekend was their only victory in the last three Premier League games.
Aston Villa have hit a roadblock after making a smoking start to the season. Defeats to Leeds United and Southampton at home have taken the shine off their start but they are still in a solid position at this stage of the campaign.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Team news
Arsenal
Arsenal do not have any fresh injury problems and David Luiz is set to come back into the squad after missing the Manchester United game due to an injury.
However, it remains to be seen whether he manages to find a place in the starting eleven especially as they won at Old Trafford last weekend.
Aston Villa
Villa will be missing the services of Bertrand Traore who went off injured in their defeat to Southampton. But that is the only injury concern the Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is dealing with at the moment.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Probable XI
Arsenal: Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Bellerin, Thomas, Elneny, Saka; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Trezeguet, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins
Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Where to watch
India: Star Sports 2, Star Sports Select HD 2
UK: Sky Sports Box Office
Stream in India: Disney+ Hotstar
Stream in the UK: Sky Sports App
Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Prediction
Arsenal are coming into the game on the back of confidence from two good results in England and in Europe. The win over Manchester United last weekend arrested a run of two defeats and they comfortably beat Molde in the Europa League at the weekend.
They have improved defensively and are gradually picking up things upfront.
On the other hand, Aston Villa are looking to get back to winning ways after losing two games on the trot. Conceding seven goals in those defeats should worry Dean Smith more and first and foremost, he would like his side put on a more solid defensive performance at the Emirates.
But for the moment, it seems likely that Arsenal will win all three points at home on Sunday.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa predicted scoreline: 2-1
Also Read: Everton vs Manchester United: Preview, team news, predicted XI and more | Premier League 2020-21