Aston Villa vs Arsenal: will the Gunners keep up fine run against Villa?

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Friday 11 December 2015 19:16 GMT

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hints at a smile during his press conference (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Gabriel Agbonlahor: Having scored in all of his previous 10 Premier League campaigns with Aston Villa, the Englishman doesn’t look like scoring this term. Villa are the lowest scoring side in the league despite the efforts of Rudy Gestede and Jordan Ayew, who have been the most encouraging in an otherwise misfiring front line. Agbonlahor’s first Premier League goal since March is unlikely to come against Arsenal’s Petr Cech, who has conceded less than a goal per game this season.

Best stat…

3: Villa have won just three of 31 Premier League meetings with Arsenal since the turn of the millennium. Remarkably, they defeated Arsenal three times successively at the start of the Premier League era.

Remember when…

Robert Pires had the audacity to lob Peter Schmeichel at Villa Park in 2002…

Player to watch…

Olivier Giroud: A fine hat-trick rescued Arsenal from the clenches of the Europa League on Wednesday night. Giroud dips in and out of favour at the Emirates as frequently as his manager; answering the doubters by repeating his hattrick feat against a dilapidated Aston Villa would be typical of the Frenchman. Four goals in his last two matches have muted recent criticism.

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Show all 11

1/11Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Petr Cech 7 out of 10

Kept alert through extended periods with little or nothing to do; when he was called upon he was never found wanting. His save from Fortounis at 2-0 was vital in keeping the Gunners on top.

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Bellerin 5 out of 10

Another disappointing display from the Spaniard, who has not looked quite the same since returning from injury last month. His passing was loose and he struggled defensively with the pacey, tricky Seba, though he received next to no support from Walcott.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Mertesacker 6 out of 10

Struggled with the pace of Ideye early on, a difficulty he did not make any easier by strolling forward far too often. But an excellent diving tackle on the hour mark revitalized the German, who was then crucial in repelling Olympiakos crosses into the area.

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Koscielny 8 out of 10

Absolutely outstanding in the early period as his colleagues seemed determined to play into Olympiakos hands. On at least two occasions he cut out what would have been almost certain goals as he dived to clear crosses.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Monreal 7 out of 10

Became increasingly vital to Arsenal’s attacking play when Walcott switched to the left, and his crossing was far better than it has been for much of the season. That he combined this with solid defensive work capped a very good display.

2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Flamini 6 out of 10

Too often he was caught out of position when the hosts broke, chasing the ball rather than holding the defensive line. In the second half he was simply a passenger as those further forward took charge.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Ramsey 6 out of 10

Could not be blamed for his booking, coming as it did when Olympiakos were breaking with menace whenever Arsenal gave the ball away. Indeed Ramsey showed notable defensive skills in the first half, tackling well to stop goalscoring opportunities.

2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Walcott 6 out of 10

Unselfishly flitted around the frontline, looking for the best place in which to help his team-mates. But his hard work arguably let him down, as he seemed unable to establish an understanding with his team-mates.

2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Ozil 7 out of 10

It may not have been another assist for his burgeoning tally, but Ozil’s pass for Monreal in the build-up to the opener was the sort of incisive moment Wenger needed from his star man. With Olympiakos’ defence packed in front of him he was unlikely to get many chances to create, but he made what he did get count.

2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Campbell 8 out of 10

Another display to silence the doubters, and Campbell may now have overtaken Oxlade-Chamberlain in the pecking order. A brilliant reverse pass from the Costa Rican gave Giroud his second.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos

Giroud 9 out of 10

A brilliant display from the striker, who dominated Da Costa and Siovas to give Arsenal a vital outball. His powerful header was too much for Roberto before he shrugged off what seemed a serious injury to make it two. He then secured the hat-trick he deserved from the spot.

2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc

Past three meetings…

Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 3 (Ozil, Welbeck, Cissokho), Premier League, September 2014

Arsenal 5 (Giroud, Ozil, Walcott, Cazorla, Bellerin) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, February 2015

Arsenal 4 (Walcott, Sanchez, Mertesacker, Giroud) Aston Villa 0, FA Cup, May 2015

Form guide…

Aston Villa: LLDLLD

Arsenal: DLWDWW

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: Sunday 13.30pm

TV: Live on Sky Sports, highlights on BBC1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies