ARSENAL v ASTON VILLA
Premier League
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
The Emirates, Kick off 13.30
This is a big test for the Gunners. Having faltered twice against Manchester City twice this season, once against Manchester United and once against Chelsea, Arsenal cannot afford to lose again to those clubs hovering around the summit of the Premier League.
Villa have been playing superbly lately and have already beaten Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United this season. The Liverpool and United wins were away from home so a trip to The Emirates won’t scare Martin O’Neill’s men too easily. Villa have won their last four games in the league, and a fifth isn’t beyond the realms of reality. Arsenal, while playing well, have been slightly inconsistent and could be vulnerable to a hard-working, talented team like Villa. The Gunners are unbeaten in the league in four games including a 2-1 win at Anfield.
While Arsenal’s home form is solid, so too is Villa’s away form. Both teams love to attack and both teams have fairly watertight defences. A cracking game on the cards on paper. Expect an open game with plenty of great football but few real opportunities. A low scoring game is on the cards.
TEAM NEWS
No real team news available yet, but there is bad news for Gunners’ fans in that Van Persie could be out for the rest of the season. Keep an eye on your newspapers for more on that one.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Arsenal haven’t beaten Villa in their three meetings since December 2007. Villa won this fixture 2-0 last term and there have been two draws. However, at the tail end of the 2005/06 season, Arsenal hit five past Villa, but since then Villa haven’t lost away to the Gunners.
VERDICT
Based on the theory that Villa will perform above expectations for this game and that will result in a tight and low scoring game, perhaps an interest in the game ending up in a draw will be profitable. Backing below 1.5 goals goes against everything that Arsenal have stood for this season, but in this game it might well be worth having a punt.
If you’re feeling brave, why not have that fiver your granny stuck in your Christmas card on a 0-0 draw?
RECOMMENDED
ARSENAL/ASTON VILLA DRAW 3.85 (BETFAIR)
UNDER 1.5 GOALS 4.4 (BETFAIR)
ARSENAL CLEAN SHEET 2.74 (BETFAIR)
CORRECT SCORE 0-0 15.0 (BETFAIR)
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