Fresh from a tense yet crucial 2-1 victory in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, Arsenal return to action at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are set to host Aston Villa in a highly anticipated English Premier League late kickoff on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Africa Football’s editor Allan Damba looks into the upcoming match.
The match marks the return of Aston Villa manager Unai Emery to familiar territory, as he previously coached Arsenal between 2018 and 2019. Emery’s stint at Arsenal was short-lived, ending with his replacement by the current boss, Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal’s triumph over Tottenham helped them bounce back after failing to win in their previous three matches. The victory elevated them to second place with 43 points, four points behind league leaders Liverpool, after 21 games.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are enjoying a strong run of form. Emery’s side has won their last three matches and remains unbeaten in four across all competitions. A narrow 1-0 win over Everton on Tuesday lifted Villa to seventh place in the league standings, with 35 points.
Arsenal Recent Form Analysis
Arsenal have secured just two wins in their last five matches, with two draws and one defeat. During this period, they scored seven goals while conceding six, an unusual defensive record for a team under Mikel Arteta.
- Last Five Games: 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss
- Latest Result: Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham
Aston Villa Recent Form Analysis
Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, have claimed three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five outings across all competitions. They’ve scored seven goals while conceding the same number in this period.
- Last Five Games: 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss
- Latest Result: Everton 0-1 Aston Villa
Head-to-Head (Last Five Matches)
- Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal
- Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa
- Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
- Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal
- Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
Our Prediction for Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Encounters between Arsenal and Aston Villa have been tightly contested in recent years, and Saturday’s clash promises to follow suit. While Arsenal are in the thick of a title race, Aston Villa are pushing for a Champions League spot.
For betting enthusiasts, Both Teams to Score (YES) is a solid pick, available at odds of 1.85 on 1xBet. For a safer option, consider betting on Over 1.5 Goals, with odds of 1.22 on 1xBet.
Player to Watch: Boubacar Kamara
Boubacar Kamara has been a standout player for Aston Villa this season. The Frenchman with Senegalese roots plays primarily as a defensive midfielder, excelling at shielding the backline and initiating attacking moves. In what will be his 20th match of the season, Kamara will face the tough task of disrupting Arsenal’s midfield, a key to Villa’s hopes of success.
Best Odds and Betting Tips
Here are our top betting tips for this clash:
- Both Teams to Score (YES): 1.85 on 1xBet
- Over 1.5 Goals: 1.22 on 1xBet
