Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction Preview

Ahead of the weekend, here’s a prediction, team news, lineups, and fixtures preview for Arsenal vs Aston Villa. It’s likely to be an intriguing clash. 

The home side are favourites but have struggled to convert goalscoring opportunities recently. Unai Emery’s side won this fixture 2-0 last season. Villa will arrive here confidently despite a poor away record. They’ve won two of the previous three encounters. It’s a clash that the hosts have to win, they can’t afford to drop many more points if they want to secure a Premier League title.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction: Another Cagey Encounter

England, Premier League, Saturday, January 18th, 17:30 (UK)

Mikel Arteta’s side lost 2-0 in this fixture last season in round 33, a defeat that ultimately cost them the Premier League title. The Gunners must bounce back from troubling recent results. We do not know how they do against Spurs at the time of writing. The North London Derby takes place on Wednesday night at the Emirates.

With Champions League football back at Villa Park, a drop in results was expected. Unai Emery’s men have collected 22 points at home this term. Only Liverpool boasts a better figure. Performances away from home have been uninspiring. Villa have achieved ten points in nine matches and recorded a -8 goal difference. 

The home side are around 1.48 for this encounter. It appears short, given their struggles in front of goal and recent injuries in forward areas. Arsenal are ranked 8th for xG when playing at home. We must consider that they have played fewer matches than six of those teams. 

Only the three newly promoted sides have a worse xGD/90 than Villa. It’s a surprising statistic, given the quality they possess. Their previous six away days have come against Newcastle, Forest, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Fulham. It’s another tough test for Emery and his side in the capital, but I’m sure the Spaniard will be eager to put a spanner in Arteta’s works.

Arsenal’s 4.8xGA across nine Premier League matches is impressive. Only Brighton has exceeded the 0.81xG barrier when visiting this venue. Fabian Hurzeler’s men racked up 1.76xG that afternoon. Declan Rice’s dismissal in the 49th minute was the turning point. Brighton managed just three shots in the opening 45 minutes and created 1.67xG after the break. 

I’m not so sure that this clash will escalate into a goal-laden affair. Arteta’s team has a brilliant defensive structure. They’ve shipped just six goals in nine matches here. The reverse clash saw 2.15xG, a relatively low figure. Saka, Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri will not feature. Leandro Trossard hasn’t scored since November, whilst Havertz and Martinelli have struggled to convert chances recently.

The under 2.75 goal line is interesting. This line opened at 3.0. Neither side will want to give away any easy opportunities. Villa will be wary about their struggles away from home. Each of the previous three encounters has seen less than three goals. Another cagey affair could be on the cards. 

• Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction: Under 2.75 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10 (TRACKED BET)

Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction odds via bet365 as at 19:00, January 15th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: Offensive Absentees Could Be The Difference

Mikel Arteta will be without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri. Ben White, Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori are doubts. Tomiyasu will not feature for the Gunners. 

Arsenal have been wasteful in recent weeks. They have been after a centre forward for a while now. With substantial injuries in the attack, they may splash the cash or at least bring someone in on loan. 

Villa will arrive here without Ross Barkley and John McGinn. The midfield duo are suffering from calf and hamstring injuries, respectively. Pau Torres has a foot injury and is unlikely to feature. Diego Carlos is a doubt. Esri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are expected to start in central defence. 

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Sterling, Trossard, Havertz

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Tielemans, Ramsey, Watkins

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