Title-chasing Arsenal host Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium in a huge Premier League encounter.
Victory would return Arsenal to the league summit, whilst Villa can stay fourth if avoid defeat or lose by an one-goal margin.
Team News
Gabriel is a doubt for Arsenal after he missed one day of training following their midweek 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Jurrien Timber (knee) remains absent.
Villa will be without Douglas Luiz for this domestic game after he picked up his 10th booking in their 3-3 draw against Brentford last weekend, with his ban non-applicable to their midweek win over Lille in the Europa Conference League.
Clement Lenglet (knock) and Matty Cash (hamstring) could be available but Jacob Ramsey (foot), Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara (both knee) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain on the side-lines.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Villa at Emirates Stadium on Sunday 14 April at 4:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have won four of their last five meetings against Aston Villa (W4, L1).
- Villa have won one of their last five visits to Arsenal (W1, L4).
- Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four home matches against Villa, during which they scored eight goals themselves and conceded seven goals.
- Kai Havertz has been booked in three of Arsenal’s last four home matches (W4), only avoiding a booking in their 4-1 win over Newcastle in late February.
- Ollie Watkins has scored five goals in three of his last four away appearances for Villa in this season’s Premier League.
Prediction
Having dug deep to snatch a draw against Bayern in midweek after some sloppy defending following their opening goal, Arsenal can’t afford to drop focus because the league title is their main priority but they will need to reduce their mistakes and play like they did at Brighton last weekend.
Villa meanwhile hold the advantage against Lille following a clinical win on Thursday in Europe but they can’t afford to switch off domestically here if want fourth – especially with Tottenham holding two games in hand which could be key in their fight for the last Champions League spot.
There will however be rotation amongst both teams but if Villa score early like they did earlier this season at home and defensively shut up shop, they could get a draw but Arsenal are in their stride and I can see them actually having the edge but the first goal is key.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
Result: Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa
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