In the league, Arsenal regained the smile it had lost in the cups: after disappointments in the League Cup and FA Cup – defeat in the semi-final first leg against Newcastle and defeat on penalties against Manchester United – the Gunners returned to success in one of the most heartfelt matches of the football season, the North London derby with Tottenham (2-1).
An own goal by Solanke and Trossard last Wednesday upended Spurs, who were increasingly in crisis. And it was a “double” victory, if we consider that Nottingham Forest and Liverpool took points off each other: the Londoners on the same night avoided a possible overtake in the standings by the Garibaldi Reds, third at 2 lengths from Mikel Arteta’s men, and nibbled a few points off the Premier League’s top spot, now at +4 (but with a match to make up). Keeping the title race open is the goal of Arsenal, among the most active clubs in this winter market: it seems that the Gunners have now closed for Brentford’s Mbeumo but the Basque coach is on the trail of a heavyweight striker, indispensable now that Saka is also injured. At the Emirates Stadium, meanwhile, former Unai Emery arrives with his Aston Villa: the Villans in the week bent Everton by a narrow margin, spoiling David Moyes’ debut on the Toffees’ bench and centering their second success in a row (0-1, Watkins’ goal decisive) after the one with Leicester.
Two victories that allowed the Birmingham club to remain attached to the Champions League train, as evidenced by the current seventh place, -3 from fourth. There are numerous absences, however, with which Emery must deal: Barkley, McGinn, Pau Torres and Diego Carlos will not be in London. In Arsenal, on the other hand, Tomiyasu, White, Saka and Gabriel Jesus are out (the Brazilian has unfortunately finished the season). Calafiori is in doubt.
The Prediction.
Aston Villa last April took a “little piece” of the title away from Arsenal and happened to be the last team, as far as the league is concerned, to beat the Gunners at home. Arteta’s team, without a role center forward, may struggle against a grim and in-form lineup like Emery’s but the home unbeaten streak will continue: the number of total goals is likely to be less than three at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal-Aston Villa likely lineups.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Rogers, Tielemans, Bailey; Watkins.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1