Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Emirates Stadium forms the backdrop for Arsenal’s exciting midweek Premier League showdown against an underperforming Aston Villa.

It’s been a phenomenal start to Arsenal’s bid to secure their first Premier League top-four finish since 2015/16, with Mikel Arteta’s men heading into this round as the only side to boast a 100% win ratio after the opening four matches. With enthusiasm at an all-time high in the ‘Gunners’ camp, the hosts will be looking to maintain their eye-catching five-game winning streak in home league games. On top of that, playing on Wednesday (European time) suits Arsenal, as evidenced by an impressive return of six wins from their last eight Premier League outings on this day (D1, L1). If that’s not enough to give them confidence, the fact that they’ve won eight of their previous 11 top-flight H2Hs (L3), including both in 2021/22, should do the trick.

On the other hand, a narrow 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United at the weekend made it three losses from the opening four Premier League fixtures for a lowly Aston Villa (W1). Unable to improve on last season’s bottom-half finish, under-fire manager Steven Gerrard could be counting his final days at Villa Park. Coming into this matchday, his men have lost their last three Premier League matches on hostile turf, their worst losing streak in away league action since a run of four in the 2016/17 EFL Championship season. But there’s a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, as only Chelsea and Manchester City have bettered Villa’s record of four Premier League victories at the Emirates thus far.