Arsenal Vs Villa Match Preview

Arsenal go into their next off the back of two 1-nil wins and in high spirits after their resilient defensive display against Sunderland. Depsite going down to 10 men, Arsenal showed a mental resolve and level of concentration much missed in recent years to see the game out.

Wenger's lads are still on course for a top-four finish still trailing the chokers by only four points. Arsenal may not be odds on for a top four finish but they are favourites with the bookmakers to beat Villa and if they keep racking up wins those top four odds will soon be sliced.

Arsenal's stiffest opposition for fourth spot (assuming third isn't ours to take) is probably Everton with the Toffees one point ahead of us and as painful as it is United did us a favour at the weekend.

Villa have mostly been dire this season however they did well to resist a 15 minute period of intense pressure from West Ham at the weekend to snatch a 2-1 victory.

Villa have been rocky and should have great difficulty in resisting Arsenal's attack they way they did the Hammers so expect Arsenal to load on the pressure early on.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 5 and look to be getting into gear for a strong finish.

Olivier Giroud has five goals from the last five games and Theo Walcott has four in the past six so both will be keen to continue in that vein.

Benteke is probably the man to watch at Villa but they also have good players like N'Zogbia who Gooners know only too well is more than capable of causing us damage.

The back four against Sunderland was a little makeshift but Koscielny should be fit for the Villa game so Sagna should move back to right-back and we can only hope he takes the positives from his excellent showing at centre-back into this game.

If the defence stays solid and maintains concentration then the attack will do their job and put Villa to bed early.

It's been a long time since Arsenal won 3 games 1-0 back to back and we probably won't see it this weekend. We predict a 3-0 win.

Goonersphere