MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Aston Villa is the Premier League’s in-form team and will present its latest test on Saturday. arsenal title qualification.
A further element of intrigue is Unai Emery and Arsenal’s reunion yet again. Spanish coach fired 2019 after recording its worst performance in 27 years.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “If you look at the way they’ve played so far and the way they’ve won games, they’re definitely a team in great form and we know that.” “We obviously know the coach and the great job he’s done there, so we know the task tomorrow.”
Emery has long since restored his reputation since leaving Arsenal, winning the Europa League for the third time in his career with Villarreal. His return to England underlined his status as one of Europe’s elite coaches, transforming Villa from a relegation-battling side to serial contenders for Champions League qualification.
Villa have continued to perform above their potential this season, winning eight of their last nine league games and moving up to third place in the standings.
A win against leaders Arsenal at Villa Park would reduce the gap between them and the leaders to three points.
“If you look at Unai, his career, his level of motivation, I think all the influence he’s had so far has been amazing,” Arteta said.
Such incredible heights looked all but impossible after Emery’s side started the season without a win in their first five games, following a frustrating transfer window that saw them rely on deadline-day loan deals for Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott to strengthen their squad.
Villa, last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists, lost two of their first three league games and were also eliminated from the League Cup.
Emery’s impressive growth under manager Emery, who took over in 2022 at a club just above the relegation zone, appeared to be in danger of hitting a wall. However, the manager once again disappointed expectations and was shortlisted for November’s Premier League Manager of the Month award.
Arsenal are in first place with a five-point difference over second-placed Manchester City. They are unbeaten in 18 competitive games since September, but their last two away games at Sunderland and Chelsea have been draws.
major matches
Meanwhile, City are hosting Sunderland, who held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield in midweek.
Liverpool’s latest test comes at Leeds, who surprised Chelsea with a 3-1 win at Elland Road last time out, having won just two of their nine league games.
Chelsea face Bournemouth on Saturday after failing to win their last two league games.
Featured players
Will Mohamed Salah, who was dropped for Liverpool’s remaining two games, start? He came on from the bench against Sunderland, but was unable to bring his team the much-needed victory.
Matheus Cunha will return to Wolverhampton with new club Manchester United on Monday. The Brazil international returned from injury in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham and will be playing his first game against Wolves since leaving the club in the summer.
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Arsenal are waiting to see if Declan Rice will be available after limping off during midweek’s win over Brentford. Cristian Mosquera is doubtful to play due to an ankle problem, while William Saliba has missed two games with an unknown injury.
Sandro Tonali faces a late test of his availability for Newcastle after receiving a knock in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
off the field
Thomas Frank will face his former club Brentford with a Tottenham side desperate to turn around their home form.
Spurs have gone six league games without a win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with their only win coming against Burnley on the opening day of the season.
Frank’s position as manager has come under scrutiny, with particular concern over his team’s home form.
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