With Arsenal achieving what both Manchester City and Chelsea have failed to do in midweek and qualify for the Champion’s League knock-out stages, will Villa be able to take advantage of the champagne in their belly?
Match Difficulty Grade
B – While Arsenal are still hanging on to their ‘top four’ status, patchy league form currently sees them lying 6th in the league with an average away record (W 2 D 2 L 2). Wenger’s recent signing’s Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski are finding form fast, but Arsenal still aren’t the formidable prospect they once were just yet.
Facts to Sweep Under the Carpet
The last time Villa won at home to Arsenal was in December 1998. Joachim and Dublin scored in a 3-2 victory. Since then, Arsenal have only lost twice in 27 league meetings. In recent times, Villa have won only once (May 2011) in the last five games against Arsenal. Also, it’s hardly fortress Villa Park at the moment with Villa winning only once in the last 10 home games.
What We Pray the Football Gods Will Provide
Aston Villa midfield inspiration. It’s also about time the likes of Stephen Ireland, Brett Holman (newly appointed ‘Australian Footballer of the Year’) and Barry Bannan hit the back of the net and chipped in with some goals. Speaking of goals, it would be also good if Benteke marked Villa’s recent trio of matches against the Champion’s League teams with a goal.
Why Villa Are Totally 100% Going to Win…
Darren Bent has scored six goals in seven Premier League matches against Arsenal, and he’s fit, wound up and raring to go. Lambert must be fed up of saying everything is fine on the training ground, so it will be great to see Bent bag a goal against the Gunners. Arsenal have no Walcott (injured), no Santos (injured) and no Robin Van Persie (buggered off). And quite frankly, Villa are due a home win.
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