ASTON VILLA v ARSENAL: VILLANS OUT TO CAUSE TROUBLE IN GUNNERS TOP FOUR QUEST AT VILLA PARK IN PREMIER LEAGUE

On a week where jumping fences has been the talk of the town, Villa were clearing hurdles with three consecutive victories before West Ham threw a spanner in the works last weekend. Meanwhile, Arsenal are leading the race for a top four finish and will go into the international break at the front of the field, if they avoid defeat this afternoon.

These sides have developed a winning mentality of late. Villa have won three of their last five league matches, netting nine goals without reply. Arsenal have won four of their last five league outings, also scoring nine but conceding six in the process. Gerrard’s men have scored in three of their four home league games in 2022, while Arsenal haven’t scored at Villa Park in their last two trips. Kick-off is 30 minutes away!

Both Gerrard and Arteta were great leaders on the pitch, the same can be said for them as coaches. Villa have been rejuvenated under Gerrard since he was appointed back in November and occupy ninth place in the league, as we speak. His opposite number, Arteta, has been at the helm for just over two years. The patience shown by Arsenal towards him is starting to pay dividends as the race for Champions League football next season sits firmly in their hands.

It's a beautiful day at Villa Park with hardly a cloud in the sky. The sun is shining and the pristine pitch is glistening. Some lovely conditions for a game of football. The stage is set and we are just under 45 minutes away from kick-off!

Steven Gerrard opts for three changes to the side who began the 2-1 defeat to West Ham in their previous Premier League game. Lucas Digne, who is suffering from a hamstring issue, is replaced by Ashley Young. Elsewhere, Ezri Konsa comes in for Callum Chambers in defence while Emiliano Buendia gets the nod ahead of Danny Ings in attack.

Mikel Arteta makes an enforced change between the sticks with Bernd Leno replacing Aaron Ramsdale, who has a hip problem. The only other change from the midweek defeat to Liverpool sees Emile Smith-Rowe return to the starting lineup, with Gabriel Martinelli making way due to illness.

Let’s take a look at the starting line-ups for this afternoon’s clash...

Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young, Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho…Subs: Olsen, Chambers, Iroegbunam, Sanson, O’Reilly, Chukwuemeka, Bailey, Traore, Ings.

Arsenal: Leno, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Lacazette…Subs: Okonkwo, Holding, Tavares, Swanson, Lokonga, Elneny, Pepe, Hutchinson, Nketiah.

Hello and welcome to live updates as Aston Villa welcome Arsenal to Villa Park for the 1230 kick-off in the Premier League, a stadium which has proven an unhappy hunting ground for the Gunners, who have lost 1-0 on their previous two visits. Both sides were beaten in their previous outings and will be looking to sign off with a victory before the upcoming international break.