Arsenal v Aston Villa predictions: Both teams can notch in north London

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Arsenal v Aston Villa in the Premier League on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 8pm Friday

Best bets

Both teams to score
2pts 3-4 bet365

Ollie Watkins first scorer
1pt each-way 17-2 bet365

Team news

Arsenal
Bukayo Saka is a doubt and Granit Xhaka remains sidelined.

Aston Villa
Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey are doubts while Trezeguet is out long-term.

Match preview

Arsenal have gone six games unbeaten since wrapping up an abysmal August with a 5-0 loss at Manchester City. But the defensive deficiencies behind their collapse at the Etihad have not gone away and could be exposed by Aston Villa in a high-scoring contest in north London.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has bought himself some time with the upturn in results but will remain under pressure until he gets his team competing towards the top of the division.

Monday's 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace leaves Arsenal 12th – four points adrift of the top four – and they had appeared to be heading for a demoralising defeat until substitute Alexandre Lacazette struck deep in injury time.

The point against Palace was better than nothing but supporters were frustrated with the performance and the Gunners remain a long way short of challenging the league's big beasts.

Last month's convincing 3-1 success at home to Tottenham had offered hope of a brighter future but optimists were soon forced to think again when Arsenal were forced on to the back foot for the vast majority of their 0-0 draw at Brighton.

Arteta still seems to be searching for the right blend but the performance against Palace felt like a step back and offers plenty of encouragement to Aston Villa, who are keen a avoid a third successive defeat.

Villa kicked off the month in eighth place but they lost 2-1 at Tottenham and were left stunned by last Saturday's late collapse in a 3-2 loss at home to Wolves.

Villa boss Dean Smith referred to uncharacteristic defensive errors as the reason for the defeat. But it was the third time this season that the Villans had conceded three goals in a league game and until they can defend with greater concentration, it is unlikely that they will achieve any consistency.

Offensively, Villa were easy on the eye against Wolves, with Emi Buendia offering a creative influence and Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings giving them plenty of pace and movement.

They should continue to score goals and the power and strength of Watkins could be a key asset against Arsenal.

The 25-year-old has had to ease his way into the season after missing the first couple of games through injury but he bagged against Tottenham and looks a likely candidate to register at the Emirates.

Key stat

Both teams have scored in three of Aston Villa's last four games.

Inside info

Arsenal

Penalty taker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Free-kick wizard Martin Odegaard
Set-piece aerial threat Gabriel
Card magnet Albert Sambi Lokonga

Aston Villa

Penalty taker Danny Ings
Free-kick wizardEmi Buendia
Set-piece aerial threatTyrone Mings
Card magnetJohn McGinn

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport