Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: Preview and betting tips

Arsenal host Aston Villa in the Premier League preliminary round. Both teams need to work hard, both have strengthened significantly in the summer and both are now in the second half of the table.

Both teams have had unsuccessful derbies. Aston Villa were still leading 2-0 at home against Wolverhampton in the 80th minute, but eventually lost 2-3. They remain thirteenth in the table, five points behind fifth-placed Tottenham.

Arsenal were also leading in the derby with Crystal Palace, but then the Eagles turned the tide and the Gunners were happy when Alexandre Lacazette scored in stoppage time. Arsenal have just one point more, so it will be a match of table neighbours.

John McGinn is dragging the home side from the start of the new season, the Scottish midfielder has scored two goals and assisted once so far. Summer signing Danny Ings has his fingers in five league goals (3+2), he also scored in the weekend derby.

As for Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is starting to come into form. He has scored three goals since the start of September, and in the last round he was also excellent at the back. The reinforcement of Takehiro Tomiyasu is also going well.

Arsenal’s attack is not working from the start of the season, with only seven goals scored after eight rounds.

Aston Villa are again struggling defensively, conceding five times in their last two games.

Considering the offensive gameplay of both teams and the form of strikers Aubameyang and Ings, I think both teams will score.