Game Week 15 Predictions: Aston Villa to trouble Arsenal at Villa Park

Aston Villa vs Arsenal Preview: Title-chasing Gunners visit 3rd-placed Villa at Villa Park. Emery eyes statement win, BTTS verdict.

This is certainly the fixture of the round, whoever wins this will take a lot more than three points from the game as it will galvanize their confidence more. (Photo credit: Khel)

 Aston Villa vs. Arsenal.

Villa Park

1:30pm

The Premier League returns swiftly, after just a day of rest, and what a way to return! This is an important fixture, one that could underline Arsenal’s title ambitions.

This is the business end of the first half of the season. Too many games in limited time, and managers must learn how to rotate and maximise their squads. This is where you only play, recover and then play again. We’re not complaining; we live for days like this.

Aston Villa currently sits third on the log, just a point behind Manchester City and six points behind the leaders, whom they face on Saturday at Villa Park. It’s a huge opportunity for Unai Emery and Aston Villa to go within three points of Arsenal.

Villa fought hard to beat Brighton at the Amex in midweek, a 4-3 thriller that obviously drained the team, and you wonder how much recovery has gone into the legs, but Emery has a rich enough squad to find the best eleven to trouble Arsenal.

For the league leaders, they rotated well against Brentford and got a routine win. It wasn’t exactly pretty; it wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was enough, and it was also an opportunity to see a few fringe players and what they can do.

Ben White was the star of the night, but Mikel Merino filled in again upfront and got a brilliant goal to set Arsenal on their way to a 2-0 win. Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli got starts, but it was Bukayo Saka who came on to make sure of the result.

This game is quite significant, and it’s a great one to start the weekend. Either of them could win this and spend the rest of the weekend watching the rest fight out there for points. They both have dates in Europe, with Arsenal away at Club Brugge, but Villa doesn’t play until Thursday in the Europa League.

Emi Martinez is expected to be back for this after missing the thriller at the Amex, while you expect Donyell Malen to lead the line alongside Ollie Watkins, who was part of the devastating forward line that ultimately ended Arsenal’s title charge two seasons ago.

Arsenal will definitely restore the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Saka and Jurien Timber to the starting lineup. William Saliba will face a late fitness test, while Declan Rice declared himself fit after going off with what looked like a calf problem against Brentford. Christian Mosquera will definitely miss this one and is not expected until the new year.

Verdict: Both teams to score.