Premier League: Gunners face quick turnaround for Villa clash

Arsenal face a quick turnaround between matches as they travel to Aston Villa for a Premier League encounter on Saturday lunchtime. The Gunners were in action as recently as Wednesday, when a 2-0 home defeat against Liverpool saw their hopes of a top-four finish drift to having a 1.61 chance.

Against Steven Gerrard’s men on Saturday, the Gunners are a price of 2.42 to bounce back while the home side can be supported at 3.1. A draw is on offer at 3.6.

Safe and sound

Aston Villa are one of the few Premier League teams that can afford to drift at the end of the season. Sitting ninth on 36 points, Gerrard’s side will not be drawn into the relegation dogfight but are far from the European spots.

The Birmingham club have been in good form lately, knocking off successive wins against Brighton, Southampton and Leeds to anchor themselves securely in the middle of the table in what has been an underwhelming season. Beat 2-1 away at West Ham last Sunday, they face another contender for a Champions League spot next season, this time at Villa Park.

Arsenal seek a response after 2-0 defeat to Liverpool

Seeking to bounce back

Arsenal, meanwhile, are on course for their best season since the 2015-16 campaign, when they finished as runners up to Leicester. Mikel Arteta’s men had won five successive league matches before the visit of in- form Liverpool on Wednesday. In a breathless match, the Gunners gave a good account of themselves but showed that they are not yet ready to mix with the
very best as they were defeated 2-0 thanks to a couple of second-half goals.

It has been a hectic week for the north London side, who won 2-0 at home against Leicester last Sunday, but at least the players have the relief of knowing that they can give it everything they have before the opportunity to ease up during the international break.

Back Arsenal to show their mettle

This match promises to be a massive test of Arsenal’s top-four credentials. It would have been a testing trip in any circumstances, but after their midweek exploits it has become additionally hazardous. Villa have been an unpredictable force at home this season and have failed to win back-to-back home league matches since January 2021.

Furthermore, it is notable that they have failed to pick up a single point against any of the current top four in the league. Indeed, they lost 3-1 at Arsenal earlier this season. Arteta’s side, meanwhile, have picked off mid-table teams well in recent weeks.

Wolves (twice) and Leicester have succumbed to the Gunners. They are also travelling well and are chasing five straight away wins for the first time since 2015. This is a team with new resolve and can bounce back from midweek disappointment with a hard-fought win.

There could also be value in betting against both teams to score. Only one of Aston Villa’s last five have seen both teams hit the net, while four of Arsenal’s last games have seen one team finish with a nil to their name.

Recommended bets:

Arsenal @ 2.42

Both Teams to Score? No @ 2.28