Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tips: Team News, Betting Predictions, Best Bets and OPTA Stats

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa vs Arsenal takes the headline slot on Saturday evening, and with that, our expert Tom Winch is on hand to deliver tips, predictions and insight ahead of the big game.

Football fans are in for a treat. The home side has been remarkable when playing in front of home support. It’s now 14 consecutive Premier League wins.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tips

• Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tip 1: Over 2.5 Goals
• Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tip 2: Boubacar Kamara To Be Carded

In this article:

• Aston Villa vs Arsenal Team News
• Aston Villa vs Arsenal OPTA Stats
• How to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal
• Safer Gambling

Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tip 1: Goals On The Menu At Dinner Time

Arsenal were the last side to stop Villa from winning at home, that was back in February. The away side are favourites, at an average price of 2.10 for the win, whilst the hosts are 3.40 to claim yet another victory.

Aston Villa have a tremendous home record. They’ve won 14 consecutive Premier League matches at Villa Park and have no signs of slowing down. They welcomed Pep Guardiola’s Man City on Wednesday night, which saw a dominant home performance. City managed just two shots that night both came in the 11th minute. Unai Emery’s men racked up a whopping 22 shots in what was another fine display.

Arsenal are leading the way after 15 league matches. They have the best away record, and we often see them take a firm grip of games on their travels. Three of their five away wins have seen a 1-0 scoreline. They have an almighty task of heading to Villa Park. Although they won at the death at Luton, it wasn’t exactly a convincing performance from a defensive aspect.

Villa games have seen goals galore this campaign. Their impressive win over City was the first of seven not to see at least four goals scored and only their second clean sheet. They create huge amounts of chances but also allow the opposition to have joy, given their remarkably high line.

There’s no doubt that the hosts will want to win this, not only to continue their win streak but to put a real statement out to the rest of the division. They humiliated City, who maybe aren’t quite at the races as of late, but it just shows what fantastic work Unai Emery has done in his time.

I’m not convinced of the goalkeeping situation at Arsenal. David Raya didn’t perform well at all in their win over Luton. The confidence levels of the Spaniard will be low, and it’s not even a certainty if he starts. Villa will be bang up for this. It’ll be a surprise if they fail to score in what should be an entertaining affair.

• Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tip 1: Over 2.5 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.74
• Bookmaker: SBK
• Stake: 7/10

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Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tip 2: ‘Boubacard’ Kamara – The Feisty Frenchman

It’s all eyes on Boubacar Kamara. The Frenchman should be right at the centre of the action on Saturday evening when Arsenal comes to town. Only Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea has more yellow cards than Villa’s number 44, who saw this selection cash during the week and five times from his 14 appearances this term.

Kamara has six cards to his name; he’s a tough tackler and persistent when it comes to committing a foul. Boubacar has made a foul in all 14 games he’s participated in, with 25 coming in total. His tackle numbers are consistent. He’s made two or more in ten games from the previous 12.

In the meetings with Arsenal last campaign, Kamara attempted three tackles in each clash whilst committing a combined four fouls. He won’t be afraid to get stuck in at all, and with plenty on the line, emotions could run high, leading to aggressive challenges.

Villa is averaging 2.71 cards at home this campaign and has seen two or more in six fixtures from seven, while Arsenal’s opponents average exactly two per game when playing on the road. Jarred Gillett is the referee for this one. He’s brandished 28 cautions and one red card in his six Premier League fixtures this term and has booked the home side multiple times on five occasions.

• Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tip 2: Boubacar Kamara To Be Carded (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.70
• Bookmaker: SBK
• Stake: 4/10

Aston Villa vs Arsenal Team News: All ‘Guns’ Blazing

From an Aston Villa perspective, there appear to be no new injury concerns from that fantastic win over Man City. You’d expect the majority of the starting XI to remain the same in their clash with Arsenal.

Matty Cash started on the bench as Esri Konsa filled in at right-back during the week, it’s not too clear whether that’s expected to remain the same for the weekend. Leon Bailey’s winning goal may earn him a third consecutive start leaving Moussa Diaby on the bench.

Partey, Smith-Rowe, Timber and Vieira all absent. Tomiyasu is a doubt, he wasn’t included in the win over Luton.

The goalkeeper situation is an interesting one, Raya didn’t perform well at all on Tuesday night. Midfield and forward trio’s expected to remain the same while Zinchenko could return at left back for Kiwior.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal OPTA Stats:

• Aston Villa have won their last 14 home Premier League matches, a run stretching back to March. They’ve never won 15 consecutive home league games in their entire history, previously having 14 wins in a row ending in November 1903 and October 1931.

• Since the start of last season, Arsenal have won more away games (17) and more away points (55) than any other Premier League side. The Gunners have also conceded fewer goals on the road than any other ever-present side in that time (24).
• Three of Unai Emery’s five meetings with Arsenal in all competitions have finished level (W1 L1). His only defeat against the Gunners came in his only game against them as Aston Villa boss so far, losing 4-2 in this exact fixture last season.
• Gabriel Jesus has been involved in six goals in his last five appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, both scoring and assisting a goal in three separate games in this run.

How to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal

• Date and Time: Saturday, December 9th, 17:30 (UK)
• How to Watch or Stream on TV (UK): Sky Sports Premier League

SAFER GAMBLING

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