As the Premier League enters matchday nine, Arsenal will host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in the only game to be played on Friday.
The Gunners – who faced Aston Villa in the first-ever competitive game at the Emirates Stadium – have lost four of their last 10 home league games against the Villans (W6). Arsenal have only lost more league games at their new ground against Manchester City (five) and Chelsea (six).
Aston Villa have never won a Premier League away game on a Friday before (D2 L2) and thus a win for Arsenal is tipped to happen at (1.96) with BlackBet. Aston Villa have won their last three Premier League meetings with Arsenal and the fourth victory is valued at (3.75).
A draw at the Emirates Stadium is considered to occur at (3.65).
Arsenal will assess Bukayo Saka's fitness level after he suffered a kick on his calf during the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace while Granit Xhaka is the only certain player from the home side to sit out due to a knee injury.
After he was forced off with a dead leg against Wolves, Matty Cash of Aston Villa is now available for the away side as well as Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore, who have healed from hamstring problems. Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan is the only absentee as he is recovering from a long-term knee injury.
Of the 12 Premier League sides to have featured at least 10 times in the Premier League on a Friday, only Leicester (1/12) and Spurs (2/11) have a lower win % in such fixtures than Aston Villa (2/10), beating Spurs 4-1 in December 1997 and Everton 2-0 in August 2019 in their only wins on such days.
Ollie Watkins scored three of Aston Villa’s four goals against Arsenal in the Premier League last season, with these goals coming from just five shots on target for the striker.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has won 75% of his Premier League meetings with Arsenal (3/4) – of all managers to have faced the Gunners at least four times in the competition, only Pep Guardiola has a better win rate against them (91%).
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in each of his last three Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium. In total, he’s netted 42 Premier League goals at the Emirates, with only Robin van Persie netting more at the ground in the competition (46).
In his 23-minute appearance against Crystal Palace last time out, Alexandre Lacazette had more shots on target (2) and created more chances (2) than any other Arsenal player in the match. The Frenchman is averaging a goal or an assist every 46 minutes in all competitions this season (three goals, one assist in 185 minutes played).
Each of the last nine Premier League meetings between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates has seen at least three goals scored. Punters can, therefore, take an offer of 2.5 goals at (2.00) with BlackBet.
Under 2.5 goals at (2.00) with BlackBet.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.