Premier League high-flyers Arsenal and Aston Villa are set to lock horns in the league on Sunday.
At the Emirates Stadium, Unai Emery’s Champions League-seeking Villans will take on Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who are chasing the crown.
With Liverpool and Manchester City closing in on them, Arsenal will be looking to hold onto their lead in the standings.
Villa, meanwhile, will be motivated to return to the top four after a 3-3 draw with Brentford on Saturday.
Spurs, who are currently ranked fourth, were able to pass them after their victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Former player Paul Merson, who played for both Arsenal and Villa, has now offered his prediction for the game.
Who does Paul Merson think will win between Arsenal and Aston Villa on Sunday?
In a post on Sportsskeeda, the analyst acknowledges that the way the Villans performed against Brentford worries him.
If they play as well away against title-chasing Arsenal, Merson believes it will be “lights off.”
The former star player for Villa and Arsenal believes Mikel Arteta’s team will win 2-0.
“Turn off the lights if Aston Villa plays like that against Arsenal—I saw them against Brentford,” wrote Merson.”I have to choose the home team in this match because they have been fantastic, particularly since the start of the year, and their record at the Emirates Stadium is quite remarkable.
“Villa will be eager to win the Conference League as they haven’t won a trophy since 1996.”
Arsenal v Aston Villa team news
Regarding player availability, Arsenal doesn’t appear to have any new problems before their match against Aston Villa.
After missing a portion of training, Arteta did not say whether Gabriel Magalhaes would be fit, but he did say he would know more after Saturday’s practice.
The only player who appears set to miss out is Jurrien Timber, who informed the Gunners media team that “he still has a few steps to make” before the match.
Villa, on the other hand, have a long injury list. Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey, Emi Buendia, Boubacar Kamara, Matty Cash, and Tyrone Mings all expected to be absent.
Arsenal v Aston Villa – writer’s prediction
The Gunners are playing at home against an almost totally healthy Villans club that is dealing with multiple ailments.
I believe the hosts will win even though Villa can definitely give the Gunners a hard time. I think we win at home 3-1.
