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Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Match preview




I think that it’s fair to say that it’s been a pretty testing week for Arsene Wenger. Out of the FA Cup and pretty much out of the Champions League within a few days, and we cannot afford to fall further behind in the league. A win against Aston Villa is vital to lift the team spirit before 3 tough games against Spurs, Everton & Bayern Munich.
Being at home is not exactly a big advantage for Arsenal at the moment. We were at the Emirates against Blackburn in the FA Cup & against Bayern on Tuesday. The home crowd really need to get behind the team on Saturday & hope that we come out all guns blazing. No more slow first halves. No more booing.
Christian Benteke, who has scored 6 goals in his last 5 games, is definitely one to watch. However, the fact remains that Villa are in 17th in the league and should be beaten without too much trouble. Here’s hoping.

Team news:

Arsenal

  • Bacary Sagna has been ruled out with a knee injury, but Carl Jenkinson returns from suspension. 
  • Kieran Gibbs is still out with an thigh injury.
  • Nacho Monreal returns to the squad, having been ineligible to play against Bayern Munich. 

Aston Villa

  • Gabby Agbonlahor and Karim El Ahmadi should return to the Villa squad having missed the last game against West Ham through illness. 
  • Charles N’Zogbia, Chris Herd, Mark Albrighton, Gary Gardener, Richard Dunne and Stiliyan Petrov are all out. 

Match facts/Head to head stats

  • Villa have beaten us twice at the Emirates, in 2008 & 2011. Other than these 2 losses, we are undefeated in 26 of the last 28 matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
  • We have won only two of the last six home games against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
  • Villa have had more yellow cards than any other Premier League team this season (54), but Arsenal have been shown the fewest (24).

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