Key Points
- Aston Villa have beaten Arsenal home and away in the 2023/24 Premier League season, with a 2-0 loss at the Emirates in April denting Arsenal’s title bid.
- Arsenal currently lead the Premier League and could move eight points clear of Manchester City and nine ahead of Villa with a win on Saturday.
- Villa, under Unai Emery, sit in the top four and hold a league-high 25 points from their last 10 league games following a 4-3 victory at Brighton on Wednesday.
- Mikel Arteta praises Villa’s form and Emery’s “incredible job”, viewing the match as an “opportunity” rather than an obstacle.
- Arteta dismisses suggestions that Emery needs extra motivation against former club Arsenal, stating Emery “never needs anything extra” due to his remarkable career impact.
- Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 18 games with a 2-0 home win over Brentford on Wednesday, but faced injury concerns with Cristhian Mosquera (ankle, “more complicated”) and Declan Rice.
- Emery’s sacking at Arsenal paved the way for Arteta’s appointment.
- Villa drew 2-2 with Arsenal mid-last season, adding to their recent dominance.
Inverted Pyramid News Story
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed notions that Unai Emery requires extra motivation for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa, insisting the Villa boss “never needs anything extra” ahead of the Midlands showdown. Arteta views the trip as an opportunity to extend Arsenal’s title lead, despite Villa’s recent dominance over his side. A victory would place Arsenal eight points clear of Manchester City and nine ahead of third-placed Villa.
Arteta addressed reporters following Arsenal’s 2-0 home win over Brentford on Wednesday, which stretched their unbeaten run across all competitions to 18 matches. However, the performance raised injury alarms, with defender Cristhian Mosquera hobbling off with an ankle issue described by Arteta as “more complicated”, with further updates expected on Friday. Midfielder Declan Rice also failed to finish after a late substitution, though Arteta remained coy on his condition.
Who Is Unai Emery’s Biggest Arsenal Rival Now?
As reported in coverage from Flashscore, Villa have emerged as a significant thorn in Arsenal’s side in recent seasons. They secured victories home and away against Arsenal in the 2023/24 campaign, culminating in a 2-0 defeat at North London in April. That result inflicted substantial damage on Arsenal’s bid to unseat Manchester City as champions, with City prevailing by two points on the final day.
Unai Emery, whose dismissal from Arsenal in 2019 cleared the path for Arteta’s arrival, has transformed Villa into top-four contenders. Villa amassed a league-leading 25 points from their last 10 league fixtures, bolstered by Wednesday’s thrilling 4-3 triumph at Brighton. Arteta acknowledged this surge, stating:
“Well, for what they’ve been doing, the way they’ve been playing and winning these matches, certainly it’s a team that is in great form, and we know that”.
Arteta further lauded Emery’s tenure at Villa, remarking:
“We know, obviously, the manager and the incredible job that he’s done there as well. So we know the task tomorrow, but we always think it’s an opportunity.”
This perspective underscores Arsenal’s current ascendancy in the title race.
Why Does Arteta See Villa Clash as an Opportunity?
Mikel Arteta framed the encounter not as an obstacle but as a chance to capitalise on Arsenal’s strong position. Should Arsenal prevail in Saturday’s early kick-off, they would forge an eight-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and a nine-point buffer over Villa in third.
The fixture carries historical weight, including a 2-2 draw at the Emirates midway through last season. Speculation persists that Emery harbours heightened motivation against his former employers, yet Arteta refuted this. He observed:
“I don’t know. I think when you look at Unai, his career, his motivation level, everywhere there’s been an impact that he’s done, it’s always been remarkable”.
Arteta added: “That’s a question for him. But in my opinion, he never needs anything extra. I think he’s good enough in himself.” This assessment highlights Emery’s consistent excellence across his managerial career.
What Impact Did Last Season’s Losses Have on Arsenal?
The 2023/24 double defeat to Villa proved pivotal for Arsenal. The April 2-0 home loss critically undermined their championship aspirations, allowing Manchester City to clinch the title by a mere two points after a nail-biting final day.
These reverses contrast sharply with Arsenal’s present momentum. Their midweek victory over Brentford, despite injury setbacks, reinforced their credentials as frontrunners. Arteta’s comments reflect confidence in overturning past setbacks against a resurgent Villa.
How Have Injuries Affected Arsenal’s Preparations?
Arsenal’s preparations suffered a blow during the Brentford match. Cristhian Mosquera sustained an ankle injury requiring him to limp off, prompting Arteta to label it “more complicated” and promise clarity by Friday.
Declan Rice entered late but departed prematurely, with Arteta offering scant details on his status. These concerns loom large ahead of facing Villa’s high-flying attack.
What Form Is Aston Villa In Right Now?
Villa’s trajectory under Emery remains red-hot. Their 25 points from the last 10 league outings represent the division’s best, sealed by a 4-3 away win at Brighton on Wednesday.
This streak has propelled them into the top four, positioning them as genuine title challengers. Arteta’s praise underscores the scale of the challenge awaiting his team.
When and Where Is the Arsenal vs Villa Match?
The clash unfolds on Saturday with an early kick-off at Villa Park in the Midlands. Arsenal travel seeking to widen their lead, while Villa aim to sustain their momentum.
Who Replaced Emery at Arsenal?
Unai Emery’s sacking in late 2019 directly facilitated Mikel Arteta’s appointment as Arsenal manager. Arteta has since steered the club towards contention, though recent Villa meetings expose lingering vulnerabilities.
Could This Game Decide the Title Race?
A Arsenal win catapults them eight points ahead of City and nine clear of Villa, reshaping the standings dramatically. Conversely, a Villa triumph narrows the gap, injecting fresh tension into the race.
Arteta’s measured tone belies the stakes, with his emphasis on opportunity signalling belief in his squad’s capabilities against Emery’s formidable outfit.
