Aston Villa V Arsenal Preview

Aston Villa V Arsenal Preview

Arsenal drew with title holders Manchester City last week, lost on Wednesday to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and now visit Aston Villa who surprisingly sit second in the table.

Aston Villa have started the season well with 3 wins from 4 games, including last weeks win at Anfield. That was the only top-half opponent they have faced so far. Their defence is leading the table with only one goal conceded in 4 games, however their attack is only ranked in the bottom-half, with an average of 1 goal scored per game. They have only scored one goal in the second half.

A surprise to many Paul Lambert has signed an extension to his Aston Villa managerial contract.

Arsenal have drawn their last three but remain unbeaten despite games against Manchester City and Everton. They have scored and conceded at least one goal in each of their 4 games. Four of the 5 goals they have conceded have come in the first half. Danny Welbeck is on a 15 game run without a goal at club level.

Both teams lost this fixture at home last season.

TEAM NEWS

• Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar is a major doubt with a continuing calf injury.
• Joe Cole has recovered from a similar problem and is available for selection.
• Arsenal duo Mathieu Flamini (groin injury) and Calum Chambers (tonsillitis) are expected to return.
• Nacho Monreal is out with a back injury.
• Jack Wilshere should be fit despite an ankle problem.

Current Form 

Green = Win, Pink = Loss, Yellow = Draw

Aston Villa (2nd)

Sat. 20 Sep 2014

Arsenal (7th)

Last 8 matches

13 Sep	Liverpool - AST	0-1		2-2	ARS - Manchester City	13 Sep
31 Aug	AST - Hull City	2-1		1-1	Leicester City - ARS	31 Aug
23 Aug	AST - Newcastle Utd	0-0		2-2	Everton - ARS	23 Aug
16 Aug	Stoke City - AST	0-1		2-1	ARS - Crystal Palace	16 Aug

Premier League Table - Home Form v Away Form

Home table P W D L Pts 1 Chelsea 2 2 0 0 6 2 Swansea City 2 2 0 0 6 3 Southampton 2 1 1 0 4 4 Arsenal 2 1 1 0 4 5 Aston Villa 2 1 1 0 4 6 Manchester U. 2 1 0 1 3 7 Tottenham 2 1 0 1 3 8 Manchester C. 2 1 0 1 3 9 Liverpool 2 1 0 1 3 10 QPR 2 1 0 1 3 11 Hull City 2 0 2 0 2 12 Leicester City 2 0 2 0 2 13 Sunderland 2 0 2 0 2 14 Newcastle Utd 2 0 1 1 1 15 West Bromwich 2 0 1 1 1 16 Burnley 2 0 1 1 1 17 Crystal Palace 2 0 1 1 1 18 Everton 2 0 1 1 1 19 Stoke City 2 0 0 2 0 20 West Ham Utd 2 0 0 2 0

Away table P W D L Pts 1 Chelsea 2 2 0 0 6 2 Aston Villa 2 2 0 0 6 3 West Ham Utd 2 1 1 0 4 4 Everton 2 1 1 0 4 5 Manchester C. 2 1 1 0 4 6 Tottenham 2 1 1 0 4 7 Stoke City 2 1 1 0 4 8 Liverpool 2 1 0 1 3 9 Southampton 2 1 0 1 3 10 Hull City 2 1 0 1 3 11 Swansea City 2 1 0 1 3 12 Leicester City 2 1 0 1 3 13 Arsenal 2 0 2 0 2 14 Manchester U. 2 0 2 0 2 15 Crystal Palace 2 0 1 1 1 16 Sunderland 2 0 1 1 1 17 Burnley 2 0 1 1 1 18 West Bromwich 2 0 1 1 1 19 Newcastle Utd 2 0 1 1 1 20 QPR 2 0 0 2 0

THBN Verdict

Aston Villa like to counter attack teams and thus are a better side away from home than they are at home so even though Arsenal are away they look likely to grab the 3 points.

---