So it isn’t going to be as easy as some may have predicted with our next game being against Arsenal rather than Bolton Wanderers. With Arsenal now ahead of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race for a Champions League slot, Arsene Wenger’s men look to be hitting form at just the right time of the season. As an Aston Villa fan though, it makes for rather more difficult reason especially considering Alex McLeish’s well documented battle to win over the Villa faithful.
Whilst many of us would have liked to have already have three points in the bag from Tuesday’s scheduled match, circumstances dictated it wasn’t to be, and we continue to wish Fabrice Muamba all the best in his recovery after his cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane.
Arsenal are likely to see three players miss out with Abou Diaby (hamstring), Per Mertesacker (ankle), and Jack Wilshere (ankle) all currently sidelined. Alex McLeish will have several issues with a recent injury to Charles N’Zogbia’s knee ligaments likely to add to Villa’s injury woes with Darren Bent (ankle), Richard Dunne (shoulder), Fabian Delph (ankle), and Ciaran Clark (knee) all missing from Villa’s squad.
The game may give a chance for last gasp goalscorer Andreas Weimann to stake a claim for a starting place following his winner against Fulham, although such a move would potentially mean current first choice striker Gabriel Agbonlahor shifting to the wide position he has occupied for much of the past 19 months.
Betting odds put Arsenal as strong favourites at 1/3, with the Villa win at 9/1. The draw is priced at 4/1. At 9/1, are the odds long enough to tempt Villa fans to a quick flutter on a positive Villa performance? With Villa holding the record of most points picked up at the Emirates of all Premier League clubs, and Arsenal’s luck potentially able to run out after two narrow wins against the Villans, 9/1 offers a nice £50 return on a £5 bet.
Statistics
The following statistics are provided via Opta:
Aston Villa have earned eight points in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium, more than any other away team.
Villa have won two and lost just one of their five Premier League visits to the Emirates after going 12 without a win at Highbury and losing the last eight in a row.
The two sides have already met at the Emirates in the FA Cup this season, with the Gunners coming from two down at half-time to win 3-2.
Arsenal have won three penalties in the two games against Villa this season, all converted by Robin van Persie.
Arsenal have won six league games in a row for the first time since March 2010. They haven’t won seven on the bounce since October 2007.
Villa have conceded a higher percentage of goals from set pieces in the Premier League (46%).
The Gunners have scored the lowest percentage of goals from set plays (12%).
Laurent Koscielny has made more last-man saving tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season.
Stylian Petrov has made more interceptions than any other player in the top division (96).
Since defeat against Arsenal just before Christmas, Villa have lost just three of their 11 Premier League games (W3 D5 L3).
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