Big Match Feature: Arsenal v Aston Villa

Arsenal and Aston Villa face off in a highly anticipated Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium, with both sides aiming to maintain momentum in the second half of the season. Catch the action live on SuperSport.

The Gunners have turned the Emirates into a fortress, unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League home matches (W10 D3) since falling 2-0 to Aston Villa in April 2024. Mikel Arteta’s side has been particularly resilient, with their last home defeat prior to this streak coming against the same Villa team. Arsenal will be eager to avoid consecutive home losses against the Villans for the first time since the early 1990s.

Martin Ødegaard has been Arsenal’s creative heartbeat since returning from injury in November, creating 42 chances in all competitions. His recent form has been nothing short of sensational, with 14 chances created in his last two matches alone. Arsenal's ability to convert his creativity into goals will be key in unlocking a resolute Villa defense.

Unai Emery's Aston Villa arrive in London on the back of a confidence-boosting 1-0 win at Everton, which ended a streak of five consecutive away defeats. Villa, however, have struggled on recent trips to the capital, losing their last two matches in London by an aggregate score of 7-1. Emery will be keen to reverse this trend against his former club, where he enjoyed a strong home record in his tenure.

Villa's Ollie Watkins is closing in on a significant milestone, having been involved in 98 Premier League goals. Watkins has fond memories of playing against Arsenal, with five goals to his name against the Gunners, three of which came at the Emirates. His performance will be pivotal as Villa aim to secure back-to-back away wins for the first time since August.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Arsenal and Aston Villa have shared an intense rivalry in recent years, with no draws in their last 18 Premier League meetings. Arsenal have won 12 of these encounters, while Villa have claimed six victories.

The Gunners boast a solid recent home record against Villa, but the visitors have caused problems in this fixture, winning five of their last 10 league games against Arsenal – as many as they managed in the previous 46 meetings.

KEY STATS

Arsenal lost this exact fixture 2-0 last season – they’ve not lost consecutive home league games against Aston Villa since their first two meetings in the Premier League (0-1 in 1992-93, 1-2 in 1993-94).

Aston Villa have won five of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Arsenal (L5), as many as they had in their previous 46 against the Gunners (D14 L27).

None of the last 18 Premier League meetings between Arsenal (12 wins) and Aston Villa (6) have been drawn. The Gunners have only had a longer run against Newcastle (19 from 2012-2022), while the Villans have only had a longer run against Tottenham (a current run of 19).

Having lost just one of their first 13 Premier League away games against London sides under Unai Emery (W9 D3), Aston Villa have lost their last two visits to the capital by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League home games (W10 D3) since a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last April. The Gunners last had a longer run without defeat at the Emirates between August and April in 2018-19 under current Villa boss Unai Emery (16).

Aston Villa’s 1-0 win at Everton last time out ended a run of five straight away defeats in the Premier League. They last won consecutive away games in August, while they last did so while keeping a clean sheet each time in January 2023.

Arsenal haven’t lost any of their last 44 games in all competitions in which they’ve scored a goal (W36 D8) since a 2-1 defeat against Fulham in December 2023.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

For Arsenal, a win would extend their unbeaten home run and solidify their place in the top four. For Aston Villa, victory would not only build on their win at Everton but also affirm their ambitions for European football under Emery.

This fixture promises to be another chapter in a long-running rivalry that rarely disappoints.