Arsenal has found themselves under immense pressure after suffering their second Premier League defeat in February, having previously been beaten only once in the league this season. The loss to Everton was particularly painful, and following that up with a draw against Brentford and another defeat to title rivals Manchester City has caused them to lose their hold on the top spot.
Aston Villa
Last weekend, Aston Villa faced a difficult challenge at the Etihad Stadium, with a first half performance that left them with a daunting task to overcome. This coming Saturday, they will be in front of the television cameras once again, as they take on one of the Premier League’s title contenders. Unai Emery will have spent the last week focusing on improving his team’s defensive shape, following two consecutive losses in which they conceded a total of seven goals.
Despite their current position of 11th in the Premier League table and being three points behind Chelsea, Aston Villa could still secure a top-half finish. With a strong end to the season, they may even have a chance of qualifying for European football, which would be a welcome return to Villa Park. So far this season, they have managed a record of five wins, two draws, and four losses in the Premier League at home.
Before suffering heavy defeats to Leicester City and Manchester City, Aston Villa had enjoyed an unbeaten streak of four Premier League games, winning three of those matches. Although they are still managing to score goals, it is imperative for Aston Villa to improve their defensive record, as they have lost two of their last four Premier League games at Villa Park.
In terms of team news, the availability of Tyrone Mings and Bertrand Traore remains uncertain, as they need to pass fitness tests to be considered for selection. Meanwhile, Diego Carlos is expected to return to the squad in approximately one week’s time.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s recent performances have been disappointing, particularly the dropped points against Everton and Brentford. Although the loss to Manchester City on Wednesday was also a setback, it may not have hurt as much. Despite this, Mikel Arteta remains confident in his team, who have a game in hand over Manchester City. However, the manager needs a strong response from his squad, who are currently stretched.
This weekend presents Arsenal with an opportunity to reclaim top spot from Manchester City, but any positive result short of a win will be unsatisfactory for both the fans and the team. The pressure is on for the Gunners to react better than they have to recent setbacks. While they have a formidable away record of eight wins, one draw, and two losses in the Premier League, the best by far, they will need to muster all of their strength to secure a victory on Saturday.
In their last four games across all competitions, Arsenal have been unable to secure a victory, losing three of those matches and scoring just twice. The absence of Gabriel Jesus has been keenly felt, contributing to their struggles. Although Arsenal had won five consecutive away games in all competitions, they have suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Manchester City in the FA Cup and Everton in the Premier League.
Ahead of their next fixture, Thomas Partey is a doubt for Arsenal, having missed the previous game. Meanwhile, Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Jesus are expected to remain sidelined.
Head to Head
Back in August, Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa with a late goal to clinch the win.
Although Aston Villa had managed to win their previous two home games against Arsenal, they were defeated 1-0 by the Gunners in their last meeting at this venue during the previous season.
TWV Sport Team Thoughts
It remains to be seen how the players will react to this string of setbacks, despite manager Mikel Arteta insisting that he still ‘believes’ in his squad and their ability to win the Premier League. This belief has only increased following the defeat to Manchester City.
As Arsenal fans travel to the Midlands, they are hoping to see their team react positively. Despite possessing quality in their squad and creating numerous chances, their finishing has been slightly wasteful lately. The real concern, however, is the underperforming defence that has allowed their opponents to gain the upper hand.
Aston Villa, managed by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, is likely to test Arsenal’s defensive shape. Emery knows his team has been far too open and easy to play against, and his challenge is to make Aston Villa much tougher to deal with. The team has conceded seven goals in their last two Premier League games, and their defence seems to be lacking confidence.
Given that both Aston Villa and Arsenal seem to be lacking in confidence, scoring the first goal will be crucial. I believe that to win this game, a team will need to score at least two goals, especially given the defensive issues both teams are facing. Despite Arsenal’s recent poor form, I still think they can bounce back and win this game. While their loss to Everton was concerning, it came against a team with a new manager. Aston Villa, on the other hand, has had Unai Emery in charge for several months now, but they have been struggling defensively, having conceded seven goals in their last two games. Nonetheless, winning this match will not come easy for Arsenal. However, if they manage to score the first goal, it could give them the confidence they need to go on and secure a much-needed victory at Villa Park.
Match Result Prediction
Arsenal to win.
Score Prediction
Aston Villa 0 – 2 Arsenal
