After a comfortable victory in last week’s North London derby, Arsenal travel to the Midlands to face an Aston Villa side that were dumped out of the F.A Cup to Sheffield United.
Despite their humiliation in the cup, Aston Villa recorded an impressive away win against Sunderland last time out in the league. Having said that, the pressure has been on Paul Lambert all season. Villa have won one and lost five of their last seven games in all competitions. The former European Cup winners finished 15th under Lambert’s stewardship last season and were expected to really push on this term. That has not happened. Christian Benteke has not continued to build on his frightening debut season and the crowd inside Villa Park have not been slow to voice their opinions.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have pushed on from last season. Three points would see the Gunners return to the top of the Barclays Premier League table, and who would bet against it happening? Arsenal haven’t lost at Villa Park since 1998; an imperious record that Mesut Özil and company will be looking to extend on Monday night.
The visitors welcome back Olivier Giroud – who sat out of the game against Spurs through injury and illness. The tall Frenchman netted against Villa in the reverse fixture; a game that many Arsenal fans will never forget.
Aston Villa walked away from the Emirates with three points, after scoring two penalties and having Laurent Koscielny sent off for a fair challenge. It sparked a fans backlash and here we are today: One side from that game has gone downwards and the other has gone the other way.
So yes, Arsenal will be out for revenge. The players will remember that feeling of losing on the opening day and will be out to prove a point. Out to win the game. Out to further prove their title credentials.
With all that being said, I have to go for a slight Arsenal win. 2-1.
Betting Tips
Arsenal to win 2-1 – 15/2: The Gunners will be out for revenge and could take an early lead. However, with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke in attack, the Villains always possess a goal threat. BET ON THIS MARKET.
Draw-Arsenal win – 19/5: After a weeks break, both teams will come out of the blocks firing. Perhaps they will cancel each other out, leaving Arsenal having to chase the game in the second half to gain all three points? It’s certainly a possibility. BET ON THIS MARKET.
Santi Cazorla MOTM – 8/1: Santi Cazorla sparked his season into life with a goal and a fantastic performance against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Playing away from home means he can often find himself in space more often and his linkup play with Mesut Özil should be delightful to watch. BET ON THIS MARKET.
