{"id":531731,"date":"2019-09-21T02:44:10","date_gmt":"2019-09-21T06:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=531731"},"modified":"2019-09-21T02:44:08","modified_gmt":"2019-09-21T06:44:08","slug":"arsenal-premier-league-aston-villa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/09\/21\/arsenal-premier-league-aston-villa\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal Look to Change Premier League Fortunes Against Aston Villa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arsenal<\/a> are winless in their last three Premier League matches. This run includes draws with Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> and Watford<\/a> plus a loss against Liverpool<\/a>. The Gunners will want to turn their league fortunes around on Sunday as they host Aston Villa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Villans, meanwhile, have taken just four points from their opening five matches. Additionally, they have lost both of their two matches away from Villa Park this season.<\/p>\n

Arsenal Desperate for Three Points Against Aston Villa<\/h2>\n

Team News<\/h3>\n

Arsenal are still dealing with a few long-term absences, namely Hector Bellerin<\/a>, Kieran Tierney<\/a>, Dinos Mavropanos and Alexandre Lacazette<\/a>. Meanwhile, Rob Holding made the trip to Germany ahead of the Europa League win over Eintracht Frankfurt<\/a> but did not feature.<\/p>\n

During the match in Frankfurt, Sead Kolasinac<\/a> did appear to pick up an injury. Head coach Unai Emery, however, dismissed this question following the match<\/a>, “He played on Sunday, tonight and he felt a small problem but I think he’s fine.”<\/p>\n

Aston Villa will welcome Matt Targett back to the squad ahead of the match. However, neither James Chester<\/a> nor Jonathan Kodjia<\/a> will be available to play due to a lack of match fitness and a cheekbone injury respectively.<\/p>\n

Prediction<\/h3>\n

Arsenal have struggled somewhat in the young league season. Their wins over Newcastle United<\/a> and Burnley<\/a> were not exactly convincing and the recent draw against Watford<\/a> came after going two goals ahead.<\/p>\n

However, Aston Villa have not exactly been world-beaters either. Four points from five games would equal just 30 points in a 38-match season, making Villa early relegation candidates. They have been especially bad away from home, losing both matches they’ve played.<\/p>\n

Dean Smith has put together a fairly sturdy defence, to be fair. Six goals allowed in five matches is a respectable tally for a lower-table side. Attack has been their greatest weakness, the club has scored just four goals this season.<\/p>\n

Although Arsenal will likely give away a goal to Aston Villa, their attack and the fact that they’re playing at home should mean that they take three points from the fixture.<\/p>\n

Predicted score: Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>