The race for the Premier League title is spicing up, as Unai Emery‘s Villa welcome Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal to a mouthwatering clash against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The Gunners consolidated their position at the top of the League, by prevailing in a 4-3 thriller against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, while Villa stunned Pep Guardiola’s City, with a 1-0 win, thanks to Leon Bailey’s 74th-minute winner.
Despite their great start to the season, the League leaders are having issues with David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale, particularly after the Spaniard’s two errors almost cost Arsenal the game on Tuesday night.
However, the Arsenal boss is backing the Spaniard to be his number one.
“When you look at his form and what he has achieved since he has been with us, he has been really impressive,” I have three great goalkeepers and I am really happy. I have great wingers and some of them are on the bench, but the questions are not related to them. We have to accept that, but as well we have to support our players in the best possible way.
Arteta: BBC Sport
Meanwhile, Emery is hoping that his side can capitalize on their epic win on Wednesday.
“(Qualifying for the Champions League) of course is a big motivation for us. Every place now is important for us,” “We can wait until match 30 or 32 in case we are in the top four in that moment, then maybe we can think we are contenders to be there. “Now, we have to be happy and we have to be focused. The match on Wednesday is finished and we enjoyed that moment with our supporters in Villa Park, but now we have to focus 100 per cent on the match. “Again, it’s a big challenge and a great moment but we’re very focused on our professional work for tomorrow.”
Emery: Football365
Head To Head
Embed from Getty ImagesThe two sides were involved in a six-goal thriller, where the Gunners came from 2-0, to win 4-2. Bukayo Saka, Oleksandr Zinchenko and an own goal by Emiliano Martinez was enough to see the away side over the line.
Arsenal’s overall record at Villa Park is good with 12 wins in 21 visits. The host’s last victory against the North Londoners came in February 2021, where Ollie Watkins secured a 1-0 victory.
Embed from Getty ImagesTeam News
The Gunners will not have their boss on the touchline, as he received a one-match ban, for over-celebrating in Arsenal’s game away at Luton. Meanwhile, Takehiro Tomiyasu is still out with a calf injury.
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Meanwhile, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne and Douglas Luiz are all one yellow card from incurring a ban.
Predictions
Given the superior form of both teams, this promises to be an absolute classic. However Arsenal start as favourites, so I’m going for a 2-1 win. But It wouldn’t surprise me if Emery’s side pull off a performance to stun this Arsenal side, just like they did with Manchester City.
Who will prevail in this mouthwatering contest?
I can see Aston Villa causing and upset