Aston Villa vs Arsenal predictions: Gunners can breach fortress Villa Park
- Arsenal have won ten of their last 13 Premier League games against Aston Villa
- Aston Villa have triumphed in their last 14 Premier League home fixtures
- Recommended bet: Arsenal to win
Aston Villa are looking to set a new club record this weekend as they approach the contest with Arsenal with the aim of registering a 15th consecutive Premier League home win.
Villa have not dropped any points on home soil since February, when they sustained a 4-2 loss to the Gunners.
Unai Emery’s side are sitting just four points behind the Gunners, who strengthened their grip on first place with Tuesday’s 4-3 victory at Luton.
Arsenal have taken 36 points from 15 games although they were four points better off at the same stage as last season.
Team news
Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings (both knee) and Bertrand Traore (muscle strain) are unavailable and Emery is likely to keep changes to a minimum after his team’s superb 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
Leon Bailey was not moving freely when he left the field on Wednesday and he looks like the only doubt for the home side. Moussa Diaby stands ready to deputise.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) has joined Jurrien Timber, Emile Smith Rowe (both knee), Thomas Partey (thigh) and Fabio Vieira (groin) on the sidelines for Arsenal.
Ben White replaced Tomiyasu for Tuesday’s 4-3 victory at Luton, while Jakub Kiwior got the nod over Oleksandr Zinchenko at left back.
Zinchenko came on after 64 minutes and will be pushing for a return to the starting eleven.
The stats
Aston Villa have won their last 14 Premier League home fixtures, but had gone ten matches without keeping a clean sheet until Wednesday’s 1-0 success at home to Manchester City.
Both teams have scored in 11 of Villa’s last 14 fixtures, while Arsenal have triumphed in ten of their last 13 league meetings with Villa.
The Gunners have won their last six matches, scoring two or more goals in five of them and five of Arsenal’s last nine matches have featured at least four goals.
Arsenal have led at half-time and gone on to win in five of their last six fixtures.
Prediction
Arsenal were the last visiting team to claim a Premier League victory at Villa Park and are worthy favourites to secure the spoils this weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s side have shown a strong mentality by responding to last month’s controversial 1-0 loss at Newcastle with six straight victories.
They defended poorly for parts of Tuesday’s 4-3 success at Luton, but their goals-against tally (14) remains the joint-lowest in the division.
Arsenal’s away points total (16) is the highest in the division and they can show the necessary resilience and quality to succeed at a venue where the previous 14 Premier League visitors have fallen short.
Villa are having a fantastic season and were worthy 1-0 winners at home to a Rodri-less Manchester City on Wednesday, but they have conceded 20 goals (the highest among the top four) and could be eclipsed by the leaders.
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