TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa
defenders Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker are both fitness doubts for the
visit of Arsenal because of respective calf and hamstring problems.
Brad Guzan and Gabriel Agbonlahor have overcome minor injuries.
Arsenal expect to have forward Olivier Giroud back from
injury and illness, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit again
following a serious knee injury.
Thomas Vermaelen (knee) is a doubt and Theo Walcott has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
MATCH PREVIEW
Home, sweet home. It's hardly something Aston Villa
fans can relate to now, or indeed Arsenal supporters back in August
after Villa's 3-1 opening-day victory at the Emirates.
The mood has certainly changed for Arsenal since that calamitous day when
supporters vented their fury at Arsene Wenger
and the board.
The negativity has subsided and, although
Theo Walcott's serious knee injury
has tempered the mood, Arsenal have entered 2014 with real optimism.
The same can't be said of Aston Villa. It must feel
like Groundhog Day for Paul Lambert. This time last year he was trying
to overcome a shock League Cup semi-final first-leg defeat at League Two
Bradford City, and once again he's licking his wounds after Sheffield
United sprang a surprise by beating Villa in the FA Cup last weekend.
Lambert insists
he didn't mean to demean the FA Cup,
but their exit followed his remarks that the competition can be a hindrance and that "survival" was a priority.
As a result there will be extra scrutiny on Lambert to
appease disgruntled and disenchanted supporters. A little bit like the
supporter who ripped up his season ticket last Saturday, Lambert must do
the same with the history books.
Arsenal have an excellent record at Villa Park and are
unbeaten in just over 15 years since Dion Dublin snatched a late winner
in December 1998.
Going into the weekend, Arsene Wenger's side also had
the joint best away record this season in the top flight, along with
Spurs, and will look to build on their excellent form over the festive
period.
They showed at West Ham and Newcastle they have fight
as well as flair, and a fifth consecutive win in all competitions will
keep them as pace setters in the title race.
I wonder how many disillusioned fans would have predicted that back on 17 August?
Aston Villa v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League 13 January 2014
Kick Off: 8:00pm at Villa Park
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