Arsenal vs Aston Villa prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-04-13 15:30.
[p]A 2-2 draw with an out-of-sorts Bayern Munich on Tuesday in European action probably felt like a disappointing result for Arsenal, but they’ve no time to dwell on that match as attention swiftly turns back to the Premier League title race when they welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s men begin the weekend at the summit, yet with rivals Liverpool and Manchester City playing before them, the Gunners could be under serious pressure by the time they take to the field in North London.[/p]
[p]Hopes should be high they can end the round top of the pile once again, especially as they hold an almost unblemished 11-match unbeaten run in the league (W10, D1), while no side in the division boasts a better defensive record (GA: 24). That backline is far from impenetrable at the Emirates though, with just five of their league-high 14 clean sheets coming on home soil, and after losing the reverse fixture 1-0 in December, they could potentially be doubled by Villa for just the third time in the Premier League era![/p]
[p]Villa boss Unai Emery returns to his old stomping ground buoyed by beating Lille in European action on Thursday on a landmark night that saw him bring up 1000 games in management. Form has been harder to come by domestically, with the Villans winning only one of their last five league outings (D2, L2), although only goal difference keeps them out of the top-four pre-round, and no wonder considering that across that run they’ve conceded a whopping 12 goals![/p]
[p]It’ll therefore come as little surprise that they’ve got the leakiest defence in the top-six, and that could get worse as Villa have lost six of their last seven visits to the Emirates (W1). Yet, only the current top-three have accumulated more points on their travels heading into the weekend, so perhaps an upset could be on the cards. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Winger Gabriel Martinelli scored in both H2Hs last season, and the home faithful will be desperate for him to net again as he’s only been on the losing side once when scoring in his Arsenal career (W30, D4). John McGinn netted the winner in the reverse fixture, and arrives in good form having directly contributed to three goals in his last two appearances (G1, A2).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Arsenal have scored the opening goal a league-high 24 times this season.[/p]