Arsenal travel to Aston Villa this Saturday afternoon, languishing in seventh place, after some disappointing draws in the premiership this season. Their defeat against Borussia Dortmund might have been the first since April but was indicative of some indifferent performances this season. Perhaps it has to do something with a subtle change in formation from last season’s 4-2-3-1 to the 4-1-4-1 being currently employed but the Arsenal forward line have just not clicked so far this season and a haul of just six points from four games leaves them needing a win to stay in touch with a destructive Chelsea at the top of the Premiership table.
Aston Villa, on the other hand have no such worries as they have started the season in blinding form gaining ten points from just four games. Their quick counter-attacking style will make them especially dangerous for Arsenal, as will Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has a knack of scoring counter-attacking goals against Arsenal. Also featuring for Villa will be Darren Bent, who has scored in his last five matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
It has been a funny start to the season for Arsenal, who after spending much of last season proving they could grind out wins with defensive solidity along with their silky play, have shown a tendency to revert to their bad old ways by crumbling after taking the lead against Manchester City and conceding headed goals in each of their four Premier League matches this season. However, their new signings need to gel quickly and get familiar with their new formation to gain advantage of their new summer signings namely Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck. The latter can boast of scoring three goals in his last two premiership starts against Aston Villa.
Arsene Wenger will be looking to ring the changes after a tired performance in midweek against Dortmund where his charges were run ragged by the tactically and physically superior German side. Calum Chambers should be back after recovering from tonsillitis and Jack Wilshere is fit after turning his ankle midweek. However, Giroud, Debuchy, Walcott, Monreal and Sanogo remain out for the Gunners.
For Villa, Christian Benteke is back in training but will not be risked against Arsenal as he builds up match fitness. Ron Vlaar faces a fitness test on Saturday morning with Nathan Baker on standby if he does not pass.
The last time these two teams met at Villa Park the result was in Arsenal’s favour by 2-1. Wenger will be hoping history repeats itself for the sake of his now faltering title challenge.
Date: Saturday, 20th September 2014
Time: 1500 BST
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Capacity: 42,682
Referee: Mike Jones
Predicted Line-ups:
Aston Villa (4-1-4-1): Guzan; Hutton, Senderos, Baker, Cissokho; Westwood, Weimann, Cleverly, Delph, Richardson; Agbonlahor.
Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Szczesny; Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.
Last Meeting: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal. Benteke 76’- Wilshere- 34’, Giroud- 35’
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal