Two sides who always fill prominent early league positions due to alphabetical order have recently been doing so on merit throughout the season. Life under Unai Emery has been rosy for Aston Villa fans, with them kicking off this campaign with a 2-1 win at the London Stadium against West Ham. The Gunners, meanwhile, have moved on from the Emery days with their own Basque sensation in Mikel Arteta; they enjoyed a cosy 2-0 home win against Wolves to begin their title push.
Despite Villa completing a double over Arsenal last season, it is the visitors who are favourites at a best price of 4/5 with Midnite and Ladbrokes among others. Villa are 18/5 to secure a third straight victory against their opponents with William Hill.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal Tips
Tip #1 – 0-0 Full Time Result @ 14/1 with AK Bets/William Hill
Nobody likes to predict a game lacking goals, but two coaches meet with pragmatism a priority. Neither match between these two was a classic last season, the Villains holding on for a 1-0 win at home last December before that crucial 2-0 success at the Emirates which derailed the Gunners’ title bid. The hosts have arguably strengthened more over the break, although it still remains to be seen whether Amadou Onana can replicate Douglas Luiz’s creative output.
Their performance away to West Ham was one of the best of the opening weekend, although Arsenal’s defence remains notoriously difficult to break down. Arsenal themselves cruised to an opening day triumph, but did not have to reach levels close to their optimum in order to do so, particularly in attack. Whichever side can break the stasis could well be on for victory, though you suspect neither manager would groan too much if they walked away with a point apiece.
Tip #2 – Matty Cash to be First Player Booked @ 16/1
Three of the four full backs are primary interests to be the first player booked. One of Villa’s is probably the best play and Matty Cash could be the one more likely to be caught up given Gabriel Martinelli’s greater tendency to work the wider channels than Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank, especially as the choice between Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen from the start is more up in the air than the right back battle.
Cash was booked on eight occasions from 29 appearances last term, and he is far from immune from the referee’s notebook. His handling of Martinelli will be key, but in a match which may not have too many breaks towards the middle of the park, the explosions could well happen out wide.
Premier League Predictions & Tips – Best Bets For Week 5
There’s some quality matches in the Premier League this weekend, but the obvious highlight is Manchester City vs Arsenal which takes place at the Etihad Stadium at 4:30pm on Sunday afternoon. We kick off the action with West Ham United hosting Chelsea, while Crystal Palace host Manchester United in the 5:30pm kick-off. We pick out…
Fri 20 Sep 2024Aston Villa Performances So Far
Emery’s men got off to a flyer, scoring within four minutes of their debut game against West Ham. Having been pegged back against the run of play, a late Jhon Duran goal secured all three points, ensuring they picked up where they left off after their fourth-place finish last term.
Aston Villa Premier League Results
Saturday 17th August – West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa
Arsenal Performances So Far
Mikel Arteta would have been delighted that Arsenal made their opening game a routine one. Never in too much danger, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka scored in either half to record a 2-0 success. This will be much a measure of their early season form however.
Aston Villa Premier League Results
Saturday 17th August – Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
