Third-placed Aston Villa host leaders Arsenal in a gathering of the Premier League’s most in-form sides. BBC Sport examines a number of the key themes earlier than Saturday’s match (12:30 GMT).
Emery units Villa report
Villa made it six wins on the spin in all competitions by beating Brighton in midweek, though it was something however a routine victory. The guests trailed by two targets after half an hour on the Amex Stadium earlier than ultimately edging an exciting encounter 4-3. It is just the third Premier League away sport they’ve gained from 2-0 down and the primary for 20 years.
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Striker Ollie Watkins has discovered targets onerous to return by just lately however he scored twice in opposition to the Seagulls, trebling his league tally for the season. The Englishman, who has been hampered by persistent knee ache since August 2024, was linked with a January transfer to Arsenal, however Villa finally selected to dump fellow striker Jhon Duran as an alternative.
Supervisor Unai Emery is one other key determine with a connection to the Gunners, having spent 18 months in control of the membership earlier than being changed by Mikel Arteta. It might not have labored out for Emery on the Emirates however he has been a convincing success at Aston Villa, main them to European qualification in every of the previous two seasons.
Wednesday’s win at Brighton, in the meantime, was his 62nd Premier League victory as Villa boss, a brand new membership report. His win proportion of 53.9% can also be comfortably the best within the competitors by a everlasting Villa supervisor.
[BBC]
Arsenal benefiting of squad depth
Whereas Villa’s midweek win was a rollercoaster journey, Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Brentford was much more easy.
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The Gunners have been not often troubled by the Bees, with the one on-target effort they confronted being a Kevin Schade header, which was well saved by David Raya. The Londoners have now gained 10 league video games this season, eight of them accompanied by a clear sheet.
Arsenal have been once more with out first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel, and in addition misplaced Cristhian Mosquera to damage earlier than half-time. But they have been capable of carry Dutch worldwide Jurrien Timber off the bench to switch Mosquera, testomony to the squad depth they now possess.
It is a comparable story up entrance. Accidents have sidelined Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for nearly all the season so the Gunners might be forgiven for being overly reliant on summer season signing Viktor Gyokeres to steer the road.
As an alternative, midfielder Mikel Merino has excelled as a makeshift striker, scoring a well-taken header on Wednesday to make it eight targets in 18 begins as a quantity 9.
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His key stats when enjoying at centre-forward – shot conversion price and minutes per objective – carefully match these of Gyokeres. The Swede is prone to return at Villa Park, however when he wants a relaxation, Merino presents yet one more high-quality choice.
[BBC]