As Aston Villa try to bounce back from their home defeat to lower league opposition in Sheffield United, Arsenal will be looking for redemption against the side who handed emerged victorious on their home patch.

Since Saturday 17th August, Arsenal have looked a very different side who limped to a 3-1 defeat to Monday’s opponents, with one of the Premier League’s hottest strikers from the last campaign Christian Benteke notching twice. Since then, Arsenal have mauled almost every team they have faced since, only tasting defeat in the league to current champions Manchester United, and current league leaders Manchester City. As for Christian Benteke, that is another story.

Benteke did suffer an injury that has seen him miss a sizeable portion of the 2013/2014 season, but the Belgian forward has only managed 4 league goals in his 15 appearances for the Villains, and bearing in mind 2 game against Arsenal on the opening day, many people are wondering if the powerful forward was just a one season wonder. However, despite no goals in his last 11 games, the striker will look to this game to change his fortunes, and the former Genk man is priced at 5/2 on Betfred to score anytime, and at 41/5 on Betfair to notch first in the game.

Looking at the Gunners, their record speaks for itself, sitting comfortably near the summit of the Premier League table. With Arsene Wenger losing Theo Walcott to injury last week, he will be thrilled to have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back at his disposal. This coincides with the return from illness of striker Olivier Giroud, who has been priced at 6/4 to score anytime with bet365,  5/1 as first goalscorer also with bet365.

Other than Aston Villa, from 9th place downwards, Arsenal have only failed to beat West Brom, and not only have they beaten their other 10 opponents, they’ve won by exactly 2 goals in 7 of them. That is why a clever tip could be to put money on the 19/5 odds BetVictor are offering to win by exactly 2 goals.

Looking at the 2 teams head to head records, although Aston Villa have won 3 of the last 12 games between the pair, all 3 victories have came in North London. Arsenal haven’t lost at Villa Park since 1998, with 7 wins and 7 draws from the 14 meetings. Arsenal are looking ruthless as of late, and 1 win in their last 7 games in all tournaments just isn’t enough. Other smart bets could prove to be: over 2.5 goals 4/5 on BetVictor, Arsenal to win to nil 7/4 on SkyBet.

MY PREDICTION: Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal – which is 15/2 on BetVictor

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