Paul Merson has given his prediction ahead of Saturday’s mouth-watering Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Arsenal at the Villa Park.
Villa, fresh off an incredible 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, will play host to the league leaders. Villa’s successive home victory now stands at 14 league games after Leon Bailey scored the game-winning goal in the second half.
Unai Emery’s team would trail the Gunners by just one point if they are victorious come Saturday.
Merson thinks Mikel Arteta’s team will win again despite this. He told Sportskeeda as echoed by Birmingham Live: “Aston Villa absolutely dominated Manchester City and came away with a deserved 1-0 win in midweek.
“I haven’t seen a team do that to Man City in God knows how long, so it was a huge statement of intent from Unai Emery and Co. If Aston Villa win here, they are in the title race. I just have to say it.
“They put in a lot of hard work against Man City, but I still fancy Arsenal in this one. If Arsenal can beat the Villa press with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park.
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“I don’t think the full-backs will be able to handle the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
“As for Kai Havertz, I said so many times that he’s a top player and would be a good signing for Arsenal. I’m not sure if he’ll start against Villa, but I think they could use a player like him as he’d play a key role in beating their press.”
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