Roar Guru
The Emirates will play host to two unbeaten sides when Aston Villa travel to face Arsenal. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12:00am (AEST).
Arsenal come into this match following a 2-2 draw with Manchester City in which they gave up a two goal lead.
Aston Villa are riding a high after beating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield last weekend.
Regardless of Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season, they have had a pretty ordinary few weeks.
They were thrashed and outclassed in Dortmund, while under performing for the last three matches since their opening day victory.
While Aston Villa have shown some tremendous early season form, which sees them sitting nicely in second place just two points behind league leaders Chelsea.
To continue the joyous run of form at the midlands club, coach Paul Lambert has extended his contract and will remain at the helm for quite some time.
For Aston Villa, there are doubts over the fitness of Ron Vlaar, who sustained a calf injury in the victory of Liverpool last weekend. He will endure a last minute fitness test on match day, if not fit Nathan Baker will be on standby.
While they will still be without their prolific Liberian striker, Christian Benteke, who has just returned to training following a five month lay off from an achilles heel injury.
While Libor Kozak is also sidelined, while he recovers from a broken leg, Joe Cole should make the team, after shrugging off a calf injury.
The Gunners have a very large casualty ward coming into this fixture.
Wenger’s side looks to welcome back Calum Chambers who has suffered a bout of tonsillitis and midfielder Mathieu Flamini from a groin injury, while Jack Wilkshire could feature after shrugging off a ankle knock.
Nacho Monreal still remains on the sidelines with niggling back issue.
Debuchy is still out for a minimum period of 6 weeks, while Sanogo isn’t match fit just yet.
Walcott, Gnabry, and Giroud all continue to be sidelined with their mid-long term injuries.
Prediction:
I reckon Villa will continue their great start to the new season with a tight 2-1 victory over the hapless Gunners.
Join us from 11:50pm (AEST) for live commentary for this English Premier League fixture.