Arsenal legend Paul Merson has given a ‘turn the lights off’ warning while predicting the Premier League clash between the Gunners and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.
North London will stage top-flight football again this Sunday as title-contenders Arsenal play host to Champions League qualification-chasing Aston Villa. The Gunners top the table after 31 matches but are in a close-fought fight with Manchester City and Liverpool for the crown.
Only a point separates the top three with seven games left and only goal difference even has Arsenal above Liverpool. The Emirates Stadium natives hold a +51 record over the Reds with +42, having scored the most (75) and conceded the fewest (24) goals of any top-flight side.
Paul Merson tips Arsenal to destroy Aston Villa in the Premier League
But Aston Villa will hope they can now upset the apple cart again when they head to Arsenal on Sunday. The Birmingham club won 1-0 when the sides met in December. Unai Emery will want to do the double to keep pressure on Tottenham Hotspur in their fight for fourth place.
John McGinn gifted Aston Villa their 1-0 win over Arsenal at Villa Park to deal Mikel Arteta’s side one of their mere four Premier League defeats this term. West Ham United and Fulham have also beaten the Gunners in their following 15 matches. But Arsenal are unbeaten in 11.
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Only Manchester City have stopped Arsenal from securing all three points in 2024 with a 0-0 draw. Aston Villa have also only won five of their 12 games since the turn of the year to four defeats. The Villans’ record even includes two wins and two defeats in their last six matches.
Paul Merson predicts Mikel Arteta’s side will beat Unai Emery’s men 2-0
Highbury hero Merson also watched Aston Villa labour to a 3-3 draw at home to Brentford in their last Premier League game. The Villans started well to lead 2-0 after 46 minutes. But the Bees replied and led 3-2 after 68 minutes. Ollie Watkins salvaged the draw after 80 minutes.
So, if Aston Villa play like they did against Brentford when they head to the Emirates, Arsenal legend Merson fears for Emery’s team. The Magic Man has also predicted the Gunners will win 2-0, having been scintillating on home soil with 12 wins in 15 games this league season.
Merson has told Sportskeeda: “I watched Aston Villa against Brentford and if they play like that against Arsenal, turn the lights off.
“I have to go with the home side here as they have been unbelievable, especially since the turn of the year and their record at Emirates Stadium makes for impressive reading.”