Aston Villa vs Arsenal
England – Premier League
Date: Saturday, 6 February 2021
Kick-off at 12:30 UK/ 13:30 CET
Venue: Villa Park.
Saturday’s football match at Villa Park pits together Aston Villa and Arsenal.
The Villans aim to bounce back from a 3-1 loss to West Ham United, and they are eager to record yet another win over the Gunnners in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
Olie Watkins, who found the net in the midweek fixture, is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts.
The capital club, on the other hand, suffered a 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening, but it has to be noted that both David Luiz and Bernd Leno were sent off in the Molineux Stadium clash.
Mikel Arteta’s men are eager to get their revenge on Villa, and seeing that Aubameyang returns to the starting XI, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score.
Aforementioned duo Luiz – Leno is out of contention through suspension.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams Aston Villa Arsenal played so far 39 matches.
Aston Villa won 5 direct matches. Arsenal won 25 matches. 9 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.87 goals per Match.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal Prediction
Aston Villa in actual season average scored 1.72 goals per match. In 8 (66.67%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 7 (58.33%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Arsenal average scored 1.67 goals per match in season 2021. In 12 (66.67%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 10 (55.56%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Villa only have two injury concerns in the form of Wesley and Kortney Hause, but it would be a surprise not to see Smith make some alterations amid a taxing schedule.
The hosts hauled off Anwar El Ghazi for Bertrand Traore at half time against West Ham and the latter should start out wide here, while new arrival Morgan Sanson could feature from the first whistle over Barkley.
Jack Grealish notched up his 12th assist of the top-flight campaign with his delightful pass for Watkins's goal on Wednesday - no player in the top flight has set up more goals than the 25-year-old this season.
With Leno suspended for Arsenal and Mat Ryan nursing a hip problem, Runar Alex Runarsson could make his first Premier League start for the club at Villa Park.
Luiz will be replaced in the heart of defence by Gabriel Magalhaes, who will hope to force his way back into the first team on a regular basis from now on, but Arteta conceded that Kieran Tierney "was not close at all" to being ready for the Wolves game.
The Arsenal boss has a huge call to make on the left-hand side with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now back in action, but Pepe has stepped up his game in recent weeks and it would be extremely harsh to drop him.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Traore, Sanson, Grealish; Watkins
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette