Arsenal and Aston Villa find themselves in a state of starkly contrasting fortunes ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates.
For the Gunners, it’s been a dream start to the new season, with Mikel Arteta’s team having clinched four successive victories to remain at the summit of the standings. As a well-balanced team continues to play with real confidence and character, there is a sense that a rejuvenated Arsenal side could be legitimate title contenders this campaign.
By contrast, it’s mostly been a miserable period for Villa over the first four rounds of action, with three defeats leaving them down in 15th place on the table.
Tyrone Mings missed Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday through illness, and manager Steven Gerrard is expected to shuffle his side after yet another poor display
and result.
Speaking of Gerrard, increasing pressure is now building on the manager considering that Villa have only won three of their last 15 in the Premier League.
Villa have also lost their last three away Premier League matches, and are now facing the prospect of a likely defeat, having last lost four in a row in league football between April and August 2017 in the Championship under Steve Bruce.
Notably, Arsenal have won their last five home league matches, last enjoying a longer winning run at the Emirates between November 2018 and April 2019 (10 in a row)
The Gunners have also won five of their last six home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions.
What could even the odds slightly, however, is the fact that Arteta may consider resting some key players in order to keep the table-toppers fresh for Sunday’s trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, while there is an injury cloud over Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Another win for Arsenal on Wednesday would see them equal their best start to a league season since 2004-05, while defeat for Villa will almost certainly increase calls for Gerrard to receive the sack.