Well, isn’t this the perfect time to play Arsenal? Having lost both their FA Cup match and Champions League match you could say that Arsenal are short on confidence. There’s been a lot of pressure on Arsene Wenger as well; while Lambert’s men have been able to enjoy a 2 week break from football, a much needed break by that. Aston Villa’s form has been improving following a win against West Ham and a draw against Everton. It could be said that Villa are more comfortable playing away, as the fan pressure is eased a little.

Last time these two sides played, Villa managed to secure a 0-0 draw at home. A similar result would be pretty good especially since we still have to play Manchester United, City and Chelsea. A result against Arsenal is very possible.

Arsenal Team News:
Sagna is out with a knee injury that was sustained in the loss to Bayern Munich in the midweek Champions League. Gibbs is also out, but Monreal is set to feature after being cup tied against Bayern Munich.

Aston Villa Team News:
N’Zogbia has recovered from his thigh injury. While El Ahmadi and Agbonlahor return from illness.

Arsenal Facts:
Arsenal have won only two of their last six home games against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League, after winning each of the previous eight.
Theo Walcott has equalled his highest tally of assists in a single Premier League season (8 – the same as 2011-12).
Arsenal have caught more players offside than any other top-flight team this season (91).

Aston Villa Facts:
Villa have only scored 16 goals in 20 away trips to Arsenal in the Premier League.
Christian Benteke has now scored in five successive appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions (six goals).
Villa have been shown more yellow cards than any other Premier League team this season (54).

Predicted Lineup:

Szczesny
Jenkinson-Mertesacker-Vermaelen-Monreal
Arteta-Wilshere
Cazorla
Walcott-Giroud-Podolski

Benteke
Agbonlahor-N’Zogbia-Dawkins
Westwood-Sylla
Baker-Clark-Vlaar-Lowton
Guzan

Predictions:
Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa

I think that we can snatch a draw against Arsenal. They’re not on their best form and we’ve been playing pretty well away. I think it’s going to be a good game and I hope that Lambert players a basic 4-4-2; N’Zogbia and Agbonlahor will be very important for Villa today, going on the counter-attack may be the best method on beating Arsenal.