Match Pack: Arsenal

At A Glance

Aston Villa aim to get back to winning ways when in-form Arsenal visit Villa Park for Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.

A close encounter against West Ham last time out swung the Hammers’ way – despite Jacob Ramsey netting his sixth goal of the season in a 2-1 defeat.

The result ended Villa’s three-game winning run, a streak that saw the team move into the top half of the table.

Arsenal have won their last five league matches and are on a six-game unbeaten run in the top flight.

Mikel Arteta’s men rose to fourth after beating Leicester City 2-0 in their previous outing.

However, the Gunners have been inconsistent on their travels this season and have won six, drawn one and lost five of their 12 away trips.

Standout Stats

Aston Villa have won their last two Premier League home games against Arsenal. They last won more consecutively at home against the Gunners in league competition between 1975 and 1979 (4).

Arsenal have won 12 Premier League away games against Aston Villa – only at West Ham (13) have they won more on the road in the competition.

Each of Aston Villa’s last five Premier League victories have seen them keep a clean sheet, with the Villans not winning any of their last eight games when conceding at least once (D2 L6).

Aston Villa won their last Premier League home game 4-0 against Southampton, but haven’t won consecutive league matches at Villa Park within the same season since January 2021.

Arsenal have won their last four Premier League away games, having won just two of their first eight on the road this season (D1 L5). The Gunners haven’t won five consecutive away league games since May 2015.

Aston Villa have won their last four Premier League games kicking off at 12.30 on a Saturday, all by a 1-0 scoreline. This includes a victory against Arsenal in February 2021.

Emile Smith Rowe both scored and assisted a goal in Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa in the reverse fixture this season. Smith Rowe has scored four goals in his last six away league games, with no Gunners player netting more on the road in the Premier League this term (4).

Against no side has Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho scored more Premier League goals than he has against Arsenal (4), though three of his four strikes against the Gunners have been at the Emirates Stadium.

Philippe Coutinho has been involved in six goals in his first four home Premier League appearances for Aston Villa (3 goals, 3 assists), at least two more than any other Villa player since his debut in January. In Premier League history, the only Villa player to be involved in 6+ goals in their first five home appearances is Dion Dublin (6 goals, 1 assist).

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has been involved in five goals in his last four Premier League away games (4 goals, 1 assist). No player has scored more away league goals for the Gunners this season than Saka (4).

The Last Meeting

Aston Villa endured a difficult night under the lights at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal cruised to victory back in October.

The hosts were in full flow from the get-go, taking the lead through Thomas Partey and doubling it via a controversial Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal.

Emile Smith Rowe made it 3-0 with a fine solo goal before Jacob Ramsey hit back with his first Premier League goal.

Team News

Lucas Digne misses out after picking up a hamstring injury against West Ham, while Kortney Hause has been ruled out with an abdominal injury.

Marvelous Nakamba is progressing well and will be back with the first team after the international break.

For Arsenal, Takehiro Tomiyasu is closing on a return for the first time since January, but it’s not clear if the Japan international will return at Villa Park.

The Boss