Aston Villa sit third in the Premier League, six points off the top, with two more games against leaders Arsenal scheduled in the coming weeks.
Villa have worked their way into a position where these two games really matter. Two months ago they were free hits. Now four points from six against the Gunners would put Villa into a title race.
Unai Emery faces his old club on Saturday, with Villa piling up the Premier League points by the bucketload and I’d say they still haven’t gotten out of third gear. Ollie Watkins arrived to the party in midweek with two goals against Brighton & Hove Albion as Villa once again found a very different way to collect the points.
Villa can change the course of the season against Arsenal
There is absolutely no point in Villa getting involved in a title race after taking just as long to score a goal, let alone win a game. They’re not there yet. I’m not comfortable with the idea at all.
This Saturday afternoon kick-off at Villa Park has the potential to change everything. If Villa were to manage to win the title, they would sit second in the Premier League in December and be three points off title pace.
The possibility of denial would be lost to us with a win on Saturday. That’s just the way it is. Fifteen games into the season anything would still be possible and Villa, not Arsenal, would be the team with the wind at their backs in terms of league form.
They are completely bananas.
Likewise, defeat to Arsenal would leave Villa in a more familiar position and with a more realistic idea of where they stand and what they can be.
I don’t think losing this match would do much damage to Villa in terms of their actual goals for the season. It wouldn’t be a major setback in the competition’s pursuit of a Champions League place and would have virtually no effect on the Europa League campaign.
No, this one is about something else. To dream or not to dream.
Villa team news
Emery told the media on Friday that former Gunners goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has not trained since quitting in the warm-up for Wednesday’s win over Brighton and had to be replaced by Marco Bizot at the last minute.
The manager did not rule out a return in time to play Arsenal. While it appears to be a short turnaround with minimal training opportunities remaining at the time of Emery’s press conference, previous experience tells us that Martínez will likely be selected regardless of whether he can play.
Tyrone Mings is out for another four weeks due to an injury. Ross Barkley is expected to be unavailable for between two and three times as long.
Villa predicted line-up against Arsenal
Goalkeeper is the most doubtful position, but I’m on Emery’s side and will pick his first choice if he gets the chance. Martínez makes the predicted eleven on that basis.
Elsewhere, it’s back to the most famous line-up. Watkins retains his place after opening his season in midweek, with Emi Buendía rejoining the attacking unit and Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara in midfield.
Arsenal’s full-scale threat could influence Emery’s decision at left-back, where Ian Maatsen played to good effect against Brighton. I suspect Lucas Digne will be restored to the starting line-up for a match that has suddenly become crucial.
Where can you watch Villa v Arsenal?
Villa’s home match against Arsenal will be broadcast live TNT Sports 1 And Discovery+ in Great Britain.
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➡️ Watch Aston Villa v Arsenal: start time, TV channels and streams
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