* Starts at 3pm London time (9pm Hanoi time) today.
The match in round five of the Premier League at Villa Park today is a competition between two of the three rare teams that still maintain an unbeaten record through the first four rounds (the other team is Chelsea).
Aston Villa is making a better impression with three wins and second place in the current table, including two recent wins.
In theory, Aston Villa can still play in a quick winning style like that to deal with Arsenal today, especially when the away team is having problems in the defense system due to a series of injuries in the attacking midfielder position.
Arsenal is rated higher than Aston Villa in terms of team quality.
Arsenal just lost to Dortmund in the opening round of the Champions League and lost points in the last three consecutive rounds after winning their opening match in the Premier League.
History is also on the side of the `Gunners`, as they were invincible in their last 15 visits to Villa Park in the Premier League, winning eight and seven times forcing Aston Villa to cut points.
Another factor that makes Arsenal more optimistic when stepping onto the Villa Park lawn today is the fact that Welbeck scored two goals here for Man Utd last season.
Force
Aston Villa is unlikely to have midfielder captain Ron Vlaar for tonight’s match.
Arsenal can welcome back defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini and versatile defender Calum Chambers – the duo could not participate in the loss to Dortmund due to injury.
Head-to-head statistics
The last time Arsenal lost at Villa Park was on December 13, 1998, when they squandered a two-goal lead and had to leave with a 2-3 defeat.
Statistics about Aston Villa
With 10 points through four rounds, Aston Villa is off to their best start in the Premier League since the 1998-1999 season.
Aston Villa has more points (10) than shots on goal (6).
Aston Villa is the only team in the Premier League this season with three clean sheets.
Statistics about Arsenal
Arsenal is one of three teams that have never kept a clean sheet through the first four rounds (the other two teams are Sunderland and West Ham).
Arsenal is having problems defending against high balls, allowing their opponents to score one goal per match with headers in the past four rounds.
Five of Arsenal’s six goals conceded since the beginning of this season have come in the first half.
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Phuong Minh
