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Aston Villa take on Arsenal in a blockbuster Premier League clash on Saturday. Both sides are among the UEFA Champions League places, with Arsenal at the top of the table and Villa in third.
Unai Emery's Villa are coming off a thrilling 4-3 win at Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek. Jan Paul van Hecke fired Brighton in front after nine minutes before Pau Torres' own goal just before the half-hour mark put the hosts in the ascendancy.
Ollie Watkins reduced arrears for Villa before drawing his side level in the seventh minute of first-half added time. Amadou Onana put the visitors ahead at the hour mark before Donyell Malen made the points safe 12 minutes from time, despite Van Hecke setting up a grandstand finale.
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A fourth straight win lifted the Villans to third, with 27 points from 14 games.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal bounced back from a 1-1 draw at Chelsea with a 2-0 home victory over Brentford. Mikel Merino broke the deadlock after 11 minutes before Bukayo Saka settled the contest in the first minute of stoppage time.
The win, a league-leading 10th, sent the Gunners five points clear at the top, with 33 points from 14 outings.
On that note, here's a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Premier League clash at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal head-to-head stats and key numbers
- In 205 meetings across competitions, Arsenal lead Villa 88-71, with their last clash being a 2-2 Premier League draw at the Emirates.
- Villa have won two of their last four clashes with the Gunners, losing one, all in the Premier League.
- Emery's side are on an impressive eight-game home winning streak, including five in the Premier League, since a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in August.
- The Gunners are riding an eight-game unbeaten streak on the road, winning six on the trot before drawing the last two.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Villa: W-W-W-W-W; Arsenal: W-D-W-W-D
Aston Villa vs Arsenal prediction
Both sides have had impressive starts to the campaign, especially Arsenal, who are seeking a first league title since their historic 'Invincibles' triumph in 2004.
In terms of the head-to-head record, the Gunners hold a slender advantage and have won three of their last four league visits to Villa Park. However, Unai Emery's side have been near impregnable at home, with the last eight visiting sides returning empty-handed.
While the Gunners have been impressive on the road, they have split points on their last two league travels (Chelsea and Sunderland). Nevertheless, despite the Villans' rousing home form, Emery's Gunners reunion could end in a slender defeat.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal
Aston Villa vs Arsenal betting tips
Tip-1: Arsenal to win
Tip-2: Both sides to score: No (Only one team has scored in three of their last four meetings.)
Tip-3: Under 1.5 goals
