"Since losing at Anfield at the start of November, Unai Emery's side have gone on a remarkable run, winning 11 matches in a row, eight of those in the Premier League. One of those wins came at the expense of Arsenal 24 days ago, so they'll head to the Emirates tonight full of confidence, hoping to complete a third league double over their hosts in six seasons. The Lions are purring."
"But they're not quite hitting the heights of that late-November Bayern Munich / Tottenham Hotspur sweet spot. They've kind of stumbled over the line in their last three home fixtures league wins over Wolves and Brighton, and the Carabao victory against Crystal Palace while this weird stat of four of their last six goals being scored by the opposition, with one of the other two a penalty, doesn't exactly inspire total confidence in a team that's come up painfully short for three consecutive seasons."
"So three points tonight would be a huge fillip for their hopes of finally getting their flowers. But if Villa come away with anything, even a point well, it'll really start to look a lot like a three-way race. It's the first big clash of the season where it genuinely feels like something is on the line, and it kicks off at 8.15pm GMT. It's on!"
Aston Villa have won 11 matches in a row since an early-November defeat at Anfield, including eight Premier League victories. One of those wins was against Arsenal 24 days ago, giving Villa confidence and a shot at completing a third league double over Arsenal in six seasons. Arsenal sit top of the table on a three-match league winning run but have not replicated their late-November form. Recent home wins came narrowly against Wolves and Brighton, plus a Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace. Four of Arsenal's last six goals were scored by opponents, with another a penalty. A Villa result would intensify a three-way title race; kickoff is 8.15pm GMT.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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