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.
Joseph P
Guest
Maybe if you actually read the entire blog.. you can see that error being referred to in the first post of this blog. Doesn't take a genius to figure it out buddy.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
And also that Chambers saved a goal in the closing stages when it was Gibbs.
Sara
Guest
Did he say it was at Emirates Stadium? It was a Villa home game. It was at Villa Park.
Video system is down at the moment, highlights will be up in the morning, thanks Zee
Zee
Roar Guru
FT ARSENAL 3 ASTON VILLA 0 3 mins and 14 seconds decided Arsenal's fate, besides those blistering 3 mins, its been a rather dull affair, especially in the 2nd half, where next to nothing has happened. Anyways, thats 3 good points secured for Arsene Wenger and Co, his forwards will take much confidence from that performance, while Lamberts men started so brightly, but that self capitulation will do them no favours. Anyways goodnight, and thanks for joining us.
Zee
Roar Guru
`87 Villa Sub - Sanchez Off Bacuna ON
Zee
Roar Guru
`86 Wilkshires first contribution to this fixture is a silly challenge on Villa's FB Hutton, he is given a yellow card
Zee
Roar Guru
`84 Villa's Clark has been yellow carded for a silly challenge of Podolski
Zee
Roar Guru
`81 Tempo has decreased significantly as the game has wore down, pass, pass, pass, that's all Arsenal are doing right now and Villa are letting them. Each one is being met by a cheer from the away fans. Turned into a very dull affair
Zee
Roar Guru
`78 AVL 0 ARS 3 SUbs Arsenal. Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and Welbeck all come off, with Rosicky, Wilshere and Podolski ON Villa. Richardson Off, Nzogbia On
Zee
Roar Guru
`71 AVL 0 ARS 3 Welbeck and Ozil have shown signs of a good partnership, they set up a goal for each other and throughout this second half they have exchanged some neat passes. Considering both headed into this game with somewhat of a point of prove, they have done well here
Zee
Roar Guru
`66 After that initial flurry at the start of the second half, Villa are now seeing very little of the ball and if anything, Arsenal look the more likely to get the game's fourth goal... and we await that 4th girl.
Zee
Roar Guru
`59 AVL 0 ARS 3 Cleverly's corner kick heads straight to Clark @ the back post, he attempts a Volley but its blocked by the OX ... Villa are pushing for that opening goal.
Zee
Roar Guru
`57 AVL 0 ARS 3 Ramsey awarded a yellow card for a sliding tackle on Agbonlahor
Zee
Roar Guru
`56 AVL 0 ARS 3 Great Save by the Villa GK... ! Welbeck seems to be buzzing after opening his account. His attempt at goal was a silky cut inside from the left flank and despite having options to cross, he goes for goal. There's plenty of power in the shot, but it flies straight at Guzan.
Zee
Roar Guru
`50 AVL 0 ARS 3 It's been a very composed start to the second half by Arsenal, Centre-backs Mertesacker and Koscielny have dropped back five yards or so, which means that there is very little space for Villa skipper Agbonlahor to get behind them. They have tightened up shop
Zee
Roar Guru
`46 AVL 0 ARS 3 Second Half Underway, Villa SUB Grealish replacing Weimann.
Zee
Roar Guru
HT Aston Villa - 0 Arsenal - 3 It took 3 mins and 14 secs for Villa to throw away 33 mins of dominance, Arsenal have provided the goods in an outstanding attacking period. Goals from Ozil, Welbeck & OG from Sissokho have provided the goods this half
Zee
Roar Guru
`40 AVL 0 ARS 3 Ozil with another attempt at goal, but its way off target. If my calculations serve me right, there was just about 3 mins and 14 seconds between Arsenal's three goals! Where do Villans go on from here? One thing is for sure, I wouldn't fancy going in to face Roy Keane at the break!
Zee
Roar Guru
ITS THREEE `36 AVL - 0 ARS -3 OG BY SISSOKHO.. A GOOD one though, an Ozil cross finds Sissokho whose intervention smashed to the back of the net. After such a promising start, Villa have completely capitulated. WOW .. three goals in like 4 mins... this is crazy.