A crucial match for both sides appears to be particularly defining for the visitors. Aston Villa entered the new season concerned that they would fail to make the Europa League but having won their last four matches, including a 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford, they are now well ensconced in the Champions League places. Victory over Arsenal would not only see Villa strengthen their position further by leapfrogging the Londoners into third, it would also give their supporters real cause to dream of a title assault in 2010. Sachin Nakrani

Venue Emirates Stadium

Tickets Sold out

Last season Arsenal 0 Aston Villa 2

Referee P Dowd

This season’s matches 15 Y48, R4, 3.47 cards per game

sportingbet odds Arsenal 3-5 Aston Villa 17-4 Draw 5-2

Arsenal

Subs from Fabianski, Mannone, Senderos, Ramsey, Mérida, Eboué, Wilshere, Vela

Doubtful None

Injured Fábregas (hamstring, 30 Dec), Traoré (hamstring, 30 Dec), Bendtner (groin, Jan), Clichy (back, Jan), Rosicky (groin, Jan), Gibbs (ankle, Feb), Djourou (knee, Apr), Van Persie (ankle, Apr)

Suspended Nasri (first of three)

Form guide WDWWLL

Disciplinary record Y26 R0

Leading scorers Fábregas, Van Persie 7

Aston Villa

Subs from Guzan, Delph, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Beye, Collins, Gardner, Delfouneso, Heskey, Albrighton, Salifou, Clark

Doubtful Gardner (back), Heskey (groin)

Injured Davies (shoulder, Jan 17), Bouma (ankle, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WWWWDD

Disciplinary record Y34 R2

Leading scorer Agbonlahor 8

Match pointers

• Aston Villa are the only Premier League side never to have lost at the Emirates

• Arsenal have the most prolific attack in the division (44 goals scored) while Villa have the meanest defence (14 conceded)

• John Carew has scored three goals after coming off the bench in the Premier League this season – more than any other player

• Cesc Fábregas has scored Arsenal’s earliest (6min 55sec) and latest (89min 41sec) league goals this season

• If Aston Villa win this match they will equal their best ever Premier League run of five successive wins set in 1996 and repeated in 1998

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