Desperate for points and to get their season back on track, Aston Villa head to The Emirates Stadium to face an unbeaten Arsenal; here’s this week’s match preview.
THE BUILD UP
After three defeats from four games, pressure begins to build on Aston Villa gaffer Steven Gerrard. With two difficult games coming up, things look bleak around the club, but victory over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal tonight would certainly lift spirits and general morale around the club.
Last weekend, the claret and blue side were defeated by a bottom of the table and goalless West Ham United side, in a performance that was uninspiring and dull. The Villans saw more of the ball on the day, but failed to create any significant opportunity or breakthrough. David Moyes’ Hammers were able to win the game through a deflected Pablo Fornals strike on the counter.
With just three wins in the last fifteen Premier League games, the Aston Villa faithful have started to lose their patience. Despite a poor end to the 2021/22 season, the mutual feeling was to give boss Steven Gerrard the benefit of the doubt and judge him after a full pre-season and summer’s worth of preparation. Circumstances are yet to change however, and many are calling for Gerrard’s head after just four games.
Many believe that the recruitment has been underwhelming too, especially since the loss of defender Diego Carlos to injury. A new midfielder and centre-half are seen as a priority, but with just hours remaining of the current window, it will be touch and go regarding new arrivals at Villa Park.
Most of the focus on Wednesday will be on the contest in North-London, and Steven Gerrard will be well aware of the ‘outside noise’ and pressures surrounding him. Can the head coach inspire an ‘against the odds’ victory, or will top of the league Arsenal continue their superb form this season?
A BIT ON ARSENAL
On current form, one of the few teams you definitely do not want to face is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. The Gunners find themselves unbeaten after four league games, having won them all. Comfortable triumphs over Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bournemouth were followed by a well-battled, tight victory over Fulham last weekend.
After narrowly missing out on UEFA Champions League football to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur last campaign, Arteta’s side have a point to prove. Having beat their Wednesday-night opponents in both meetings last season, the red half of North-London will be heading into the upcoming contest full of confidence.
With new additions like Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, the Arsenal squad is significantly stronger this year. The results and performances justify the high price-tags, but the return of defender William Saliba has been just as beneficial to the side. Players such as Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Magalhães are bang in form and have contributed substantially to The Arsenal’s success thus far.
With that being said, there are four absentees from the squad for the mid-week fixture. The highly regarded Zinchenko is unavailable due to a knee constraint, whilst winger Reiss Nelson will miss a couple months worth of action with a quad injury. Midfield enforcer Thomas Partey has a thigh injury, whilst Mohammed Elneny awaits news concerning an injury picked up against Fulham on Saturday.
Despite this unavailable quartet, Mikel Arteta’s squad is breaming with quality, and whoever is chosen will pick up the pieces and deliver similar high-level displays. It will arguably be Steven Gerrard’s toughest test of the season so far, and so a win at The Emirates would somewhat alleviate pressure on the head coach. Can the former Rangers boss get the job done, or will Arteta get the better of The Villans once again?
FINISH THOUGHTS AND SCORE PREDICTION
Tonight’s game will be a telling one, and you feel another underwhelming showing from Villa could spell trouble for Steven Gerrard. Another frustration pointed out in recent weeks is a ‘lack of identity’ in the way Aston Villa play. With the quality that exists within the club’s ranks, there should be a clear system and style of play. It has been approximately nine months since the head coach was appointed, but there has been very little change or influence on the pitch.
With rumours of disarray and fallings outs between players and staff, there appears to be signs of unrest emerging. If the team fails to impress over the next couple of weeks, you worry things can get messy, and certain situations may become unmanageable.
Aston Villa were able to dismantle The Gunners a couple of seasons ago, and we know the team is more than capable of winning. We know there is an abundance of talent within the side, but piecing it all together so quickly against the form team of the league will be an extremely difficult task tonight.
I am going to predict a defeat, but dream of an improved and spirited performance. I will go for 2-1 Arsenal, with Bukayo Saka to continue his scoring form against Aston Villa and new signing Gabriel Jesus to further impress. I believe Jacob Ramsey will bag another consolation goal at The Emirates Stadium too.
However, I remain hopeful that The Villans can head into the capital and put in a fine showing to take back home. A new signing or two on the night would certainly help too, and would mean wan can head back to Villa Park on Saturday feeling lifted and positive.
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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