Aston Villa host Arsenal in the most eye-catching game of the Premier League weekend.
Aston Villa secured a 2-1 win over West Ham United on matchday one thanks to goals from Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran while Arsenal were 2-0 victors against Wolves.
Unai Emery’s squad did the double over the Gunners last term and Mikel Arteta labelled Villa as ‘phenomenal’ across both fixtures.
That will hand supporters extra confidence in seeing their side clinch a third successive win over Arsenal, who themselves will be seeking revenge.
Chris Sutton thinks it will be a closely fought contest between two quality sides however, he thinks the visitors will claim a narrow victory.
Sutton isn’t the only pundit to share his prediction ahead of the clash, with Paul Merson on hand to give his verdict.
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Paul Merson predicts the result of Aston Villa vs Arsenal
In his illustrious footballing career, Merson spent 12 years at Arsenal and then when his career was drawing to a close, he had three years at Aston Villa.
The 56-year-old is therefore well placed to make his score prediction for the match and much like Sutton, he thinks the Gunners will edge out three points at Villa Park.
In his column for Sportskeeda, Merson wrote: “This is a massive game. Arsenal got done for the double by Aston Villa last season and that cost them the title.
“If Arsenal lose and Manchester City win this weekend, the Gunners could suffer in the title race. Mikel Arteta’s men also face Tottenham Hotspur and City in September, so it’s not an easy run-in from here.
“I’m going to go for an Arsenal win in this one, but I do think Villa can score. Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal.”
Aston Villa vs Arsenal prediction
Villa looked impressive in parts of their win against West Ham last weekend but this is a much bigger test and Arsenal will be fueled for a revenge act.
Emery tactically outsmarted Arteta at Villa Park last season as John McGinn’s winner sent the home crowd into pandemonium.
The Spaniard will be looking for similar performance levels, as instead of sitting back and inviting pressure, the hosts will want to press ferociously and force Arsenal into areas they don’t want to go.
Ollie Watkins has had an extra week to work on his match sharpness while Leon Bailey can exploit Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is Arsenal’s main weakness at left back.
It promises to be an exciting tactical error and a match that could be won or lost with a piece of individual brilliance. For Villa, expect that magic to come from Watkins or Bailey, while for Arsenal, the four likely candidates are Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Anything other than a defeat in this match can be classed as a brilliant result for Villa, who have all the credentials to continue their fine record against Arteta.
