Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction: Gunners to land a statement victory

It may only be December but we have a huge battle in the Premier League title race coming our way on Tuesday as Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates (20:15 GMT, Sky Sports Premier League. 

Three points separate the league leaders and the Villans heading into this clash, with the visitors having won 2-1 when they met at Villa Park earlier in the month. My Arsenal vs Aston Villa predictions can be found below, accompanied by the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Gabriel Magalhaes is back available for Arsenal after a spell on the sidelines and the defender was on the bench in the victory against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.

Mikel Arteta may want to preserve him so he can get back up to speed, but the Gunners boss may feel that he will need his best defender for this top-of-the-table clash.

Riccardo Calafiori (muscle), Kai Havertz (knee), Ben White (hamstring) and Cristhian Mosquera anke) are all ruled out for the hosts, while Jurrien Timber will need to have his knock assessed ahead of the game.

Premier League Odds

Pau Torres (calf), Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and Ross Barkley (knee) are confined to the treatment room for Villa, while Harvey Elliott is suffering from illness.

Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are unavailable owing to suspensions for picking up too many yellow cards.

Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score twice in the win at Chelsea on Saturday, and he is set to return up front for the visitors.

Today's Football Fixtures

Arsenal vs Aston Villa Odds

Arsenal have won seven of their eight home matches in the league this term and they are 8/15 to get their revenge on Villa.

With the hosts winning three on the spin in the top flight and Villa recording 11-straight victories in all competitions, the stalemate appeals at 3/1, which has an implied probability of 25%.

Villa are 11/2 to stun the Gunners again and post a club-record 12th consecutive victory.

With four goals in five Premier League appearances at the Emirates, Watkins is an attractive 3/1 to score anytime.

Match Result & Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Arsenal & Over @ 13/10

There will be a lot of eyes on this contest because when the season ends in May, this result could play a huge role in determining this season's champions. Manchester City will be closely watching this and hoping for a draw and while Villa have already put themselves in the conversation, a win here would only strengthen their claim.

Arsenal were left deflated as they lost at Villa Park deep into injury time earlier in the month, and it was the first game that felt like pressure was starting to build on them. It pulled Villa three points closer and into the race. The Gunners have responded brilliantly, though, with three consecutive wins but this is one they cannot afford to lose as they will lose their cushion at the summit.

Villa are not a force to be underestimated as even when they are not playing well they are finding ways to come through with a victory, which is what you need as a title contender. But they are heading to the Emirates where Arsenal are yet to be beaten this term.

The Gunners have had their character called into question in previous failed title bids and this is the perfect test to see if they have learned from past mistakes. I reckon this will be a very tight contest but on home turf, I do see Arsenal edging this top-of-the-table clash.

Over 2.5 goals has also landed in three of their previous four home games in the Premier League.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 1/1

I must admit I was surprised to see the price of 1/1 for both teams to score in this contest. As much as Arsenal have been excellent defensively this campaign, with five clean sheets in eight home outings in the league, Villa's hot streak cannot be ignored.

Eleven consecutive victories in all competitions (eight in the Premier League) is a remarkable feat and the visitors are having no issues with finding the net, especially against Tuesday's opponents whom they struck twice against earlier in the month.

BTTS - Yes has landed in each of the Villan's past five league appearances coming into this, while Arsenal have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last two outings at the Emirates in the top flight.

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