Arsenal v Aston Villa Betting – Premier League Sunday

Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Sunday, 27 December
Kick-off: 1.30 pm

One of the Christmas weekend’s most enticing fixtures, is the clash between Arsenal vs. Aston Villa, and betting for this one will no doubt take substantial wagers. Believe it or not, before the start of play on Boxing Day, this fixture can be billed as a third plays fourth heavyweight clash, with Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa having an outstanding season so far. They have earned their stripes in climbing up to fourth place, most notably with a victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, thanks to a goal by striker Gaby Agbonlahor.

Arsenal and Aston Villa are level on 35 points, but the Gunners do have a game in hand. The parity on points makes this an ever bigger game than it was, and both sides will be hoping to take more away from the game than in the corresponding fixture last year, when the teams produced a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day. Aston Villa ride into London on the back of 1-0 win over Stoke, while Arsenal hit three unanswered goals in a fiesty win over Hull. While Arsenal have only lost one game at home, winning the other seven, they will be cautious knowing that Villa have beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United this year, and are becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Arsene Wenger is having to plan the rest of his season, with the likelihood that star striker Robin Van Persie will not take any part. That is a major blow for the Gunners, as the Dutchman, who suffered ligament damage playing for his country, was in a seriously hot streak of form. Arsenal will want three points from the game to put further pressure on Manchester United, who are just two points ahead of them going in the Christmas fixtures, but again Arsenal have a game in hand over Alex Ferguson’s troops.

Wenger will be glad to have Cesc Fabregas back from injury from this one. Fabregas is arguably one of the best midfielders in the country and is therefore extremely influential as captain and playmaker. Wenger is still battling against injuries, but credit where it is due, they continue to play the way they know how, and are having success, especially in beating Liverpool and Tottenham. Now they will hope that they can edge ahead of Villa and seriously build momentum to catch Chelsea and Manchester United.

Villa are on the up and up, fuelled by a good core of future England players in Agbonlahor, James Milner, Ashley Young and Stuart Downing. They also have the experience of Emile Heskey, although he is a doubt for Sunday’s big game. O’Neill will be confident as always, and with Arsene Wenger already moaning about the fixture build up over the festive period, Villa’s good form could pose a big threat to Arsenal, and ruin the London’s side Christmas. With Brad Friedel keeping going and going, Villa, who like to play with width, have not conceded in four matches, and they will face a stern test against the league’s top scorers in Arsenal. With Liverpool up next on the 30th, this will be a true test of their top four potential.

BETTING STATS

Last 5 Head to Head
Aston Villa 2, Arsenal 2
Arsenal 0, Aston Villa 2
Arsenal 1, Aston Villa 1
Aston Villa 1, Arsenal 2

Last 5 Match Goals
Arsenal – 8 For, 5 Against
Aston Villa – 8 For, 1 Against

Last 10 Matches
Arsenal W6, D2, L2
Aston Villa W5, D4, L1

Match Prices
Arsenal to win: 8/11 at Coral
Draw: 11/4 at BetFred
Aston Villa to win: 9/2 at Paddy Power

Betting Advice: One interesting note, is if Villa beat Arsenal, they will have marvellously inflicted defeat on all of the big four in the Premier League in one season. No team has accomplished that feat since Leeds did it in the mid nineties. That just adds a little extra spice to proceedings. Villa do have a decent recent record against Arsenal, not having been beaten in their last three encounters. However, they have only managed one win in 21 attempts against the Gunners. Now would be a great time to add a second, but a draw looks likely and would be a great result for Villa.
Over/Under – Over 2.5 goals with Bet365 at 3/4