Arsenal V Aston Villa

Sunday 27^th December – 13:30 GMT

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: LWWDW

Arsenal made an instant return to winning ways when they dispatched Hull City, winning 3-0 at The Emirates. However, it wasn’t a glorious display from the usual emphatic Gunners and more will be expected of them in arguably the weekend’s biggest clash as Arsenal entertain high flying Aston Villa in a game that produced a surprise in last season contest.

We’re sure Arsene Wenger hasn’t forgotten the last meeting between the two, if so we have every confidence that the travelling Villa contingent will remind him so on match day. At time when Villa were asking questions of the ‘Big Four’ they came up trumps at The Emirates, beating Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal by 2-0. That defeat won’t have been banished from the Arsenal players memory’s too easily and we expect the motive for Arsenal this weekend is revenge, especially as they failed to give Villa a dose of their own medicine in the reverse fixture, drawing 2-2 at Villa Park. 

Arsenal, with the possible exception of their draw at Burnley, appear to be over their small dip in form that occurred at the latter end of last month and have now gone a morale boosting four match unbeaten run consisting of three wins and one draw. Victories have come over Stoke City (2-0), Liverpool (1-2) and Hull City (3-0), whereas the draw came at Burnley (1-1), in a match Arsenal could have lost, so perhaps the point is more respectable than many would like to think at first glance.

However, this is now a crucial part of the season for the Gunners as it really could make of break their season as too many dropped points over the festive period could massively decrease their chances of regaining the title. They will need a improve greatly on their recent displays, though, as they’ve been well below par for some time now. However, like all great sides do, Arsenal have been chipping away and have been winning games despite not playing their usual fluent best. However, anything but perfection on Saturday could see them come a cropper, once again, against Aston Villa.

Arsenal’s record at home this season is superb and formidable at 7-0-1, with Arsenal yet to play out a draw. Their only defeat came against Chelsea, losing 3-0, in a match which seen Arsenal play their very worst thus far. However, they didn’t dwell on the defeat too much and have since bounced back with two wins over Stoke City (2-0) and Hull City (3-0), two sides who gained promotion to the Premiership last season. The wins were positives, as all wins are, but they weren’t against the toughest of opposition and this will be their biggest test since their failure at home to Chelsea.

Aston Villa

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: DWWWW

Martin O’Neill has turned Aston Villa into a dark horse this season as Villa slowly close the gap on the frontrunners and, in the process, continue to cement their top four stance. Villa, though, will now go into most games with the added pressure that they should win games now that they’ve over performed for the second season running. They were in a similar position last season and faltered, but with a year of experience now on their side, will Villa be good for their failed assault on the top four last season and give Arsenal the blues once again at The Emirates.

Aston Villa secured their first ever win in the Premiership over Arsenal last season and to achieve such a feat at The Emirates was a credit in itself. However, their performance that day was sublime, similar to the one that seen them beat Man Utd just a few weeks ago at Old Trafford, and Martin O’Neill will demand a similar display from his troopers this Sunday in a clash which is surely going to catch the eye of a fair few neutrals.

Villa are rapidly building up ahead of steam after going unbeaten in seven games following their nervy 1-0 victory at home to Stoke City last weekend. That not only maintained their unbeaten form but also took them to four straight wins in the league and has seen them close the gap on Chelsea to six points. However, they still have Tottenham breathing over their shoulders, with Villa just two points in front of Spurs, but a big win at The Emirates could very well see them go five points clear in fourth and leave the ball well and truly in their court as far as a top four finish goes, although there is still over half a season to go.

Villa had to work hard for the three points last Saturday in a game where Stoke harried them all over the pitch and caused them all sorts of problems at the back when the Potters did stride forward. However, once Villa took the lead they didn’t really look like relinquishing the points and a similar workmanlike performance is required at The Emirates if they want to build upon their three match unbeaten run on the road. Villa have also won back-to-games away from home, the second time they have done such a thing this season, but they fell to defeat when they attempted to make it three from three and so could a similar fate stike them down on Sunday?

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Arsenal W: 5 Aston Villa W: 1 Draw: 4

It was plain sailing for Arsenal until they lost their first ever clash with Aston Villa last season. Villa beat Arsenal 2-0 at The Emirates to record their first victory over the Gunners but still look down the barrel in terms of such a domineering h2h record between them and Arsenal. The Gunners have failed to beat Villa in their previous three attempts, though, with their last success over Villa coming in December, 2007, winning 1-0 at Villa Park. However, Arsenal haven’t beaten Villa in the previous three meetings on home soil so perhaps Villa are becoming somewhat of a bogey team for the Gunners.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.75 Boylesports

We wouldn’t dare split these two as we can’t. Arsenal’s home advantage should cancel out Villa’s vastly superior form heading into this fixture. If we were pushed into picking either side then it would be Aston Villa. They are a team in form, full of confidence, and playing some beautiful football. Arsenal, however, haven’t been up scratch of late but have been getting the right results and that’s always a good sign. It’s a tricky one, but the draw looks the safest bet as we cowardly sit on the fench.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 1.73 SkyBet

Draw – 3.75 Boylesports

Aston Villa – 5.50 PaddyPower

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Agbonlahor + Fabregas BOTH to SCORE – 13.00 SkyBet