Five key talking points ahead of Arsenal's mouthwatering showdown at Aston Villa

Aston Villa are enjoying a truly remarkable run of form as they prepare to host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime.

Unai Emery’s side came from two goals to win 4-3 at Brighton on Wednesday and move to within six points of the Gunners.

As Emery plots another victory against his old club, DAZN News   assesses the key talking points surrounding as the game as Villa prepare for their biggest game of the season so far.

Are upwardly mobile Aston Villa genuine title contenders?

It is a question that will surely be asked if they manage to topple Arsenal at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime.

All of a sudden the game has a huge feel to it following Villa’s incredible run of form as they prepare to host the Gunners.

The Midlands giants have made huge progress under Emery since paying Villarreal £5.2million to buy out his contract in October 2022.

Last season saw the Spaniard secure European football at Villa Park for the third successive season.

And as they prepare to face Arsenal, Emery’s side have climbed to third in the Premier League table with Wednesday’s thrilling 4-3 win at Brighton marking their sixth straight victory in all competitions.

Another win on Saturday would take them to within three points of Arteta’s side.

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Arsenal will provide Villa’s biggest challenge yet

Emery’s men have beaten Manchester City, who lie a point above them in second in the Premier League table, at Villa Park this season.

But Arsenal present the acid test they must pass if they are to be considered serious competitors in the title race.

The Gunners have been largely unstoppable this season, marching to five straight wins in the Champions League and tasting the rarefied air at the Premier League summit too.

They are unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions as belief grows that this could finally be their year.

After five seasons without a trophy under Arteta, though, it is certainly time for some serious progress at the Emirates.

They need to win some silverware this term and victory at Villa Park would encourage hopes they are destined for a first league title since 2003-04.

Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Injuries continuing to test Arsenal’s squad depth

Arteta has seen his side deprived of some key players in recent weeks – and Declan Rice was the latest casualty on Wednesday night.

The Gunners beat Brentford 2-0 at home but the England midfielder was forced off late on with a calf problem.

Rice has been an ever-present this season and his importance to Arteta cannot be overstated.

The Arsenal chief also saw Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera forced off against the Bees just before half-time with a knock.

That was a concern with William Saliba having sat out his second game in a row due to a knock sustained in training last weekend.

Centre-back partner Gabriel (adductor) is out for a few more weeks and Kai Havertz (knee) also remains sidelined, but Leandro Trossard is nearing full fitness after a muscle injury.

And the reservoir of talent in Arsenal’s squad runs deep – Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres both came off the bench during the Brentford victory.
 
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All hail Arsenal’s renaissance man

Not too much has been seen of Ben White this season due to injurie, but he remains a class act.

That much was clear on Wednesday night when his delightful cross from the right flank was nodded in by Mikel Merino for the opening goal.

White had started just one of Arsenal’s  13 league matches this season before Wednesday night's victory. 

The 28-year-old’s contribution drew rich praise from Arteta, who said: “I am very happy that we have him back in the best version of himself and we are going to need him as he’s a tremendous player.”

 
Watkins back in goalscoring form

For a goalscorer as prolific as Ollie Watkins, it seemed incredulous that he has scored just three goals in 20 appearances this season.

But he signalled his enduring class with a superb matchwinning brace in Wednesday’s 4-3 win at Brighton.

Villa went 2-0 down but Watkins struck twice before the break to level matters and Amadou Onana and substitute Donyell Malen scored in the second half.

In a World Cup year, Watkins needs to find his best form if he is to make the England squad.

Right now, though, his main focus will be on staying on the goal trail for Villa as they seek to down Arsenal this weekend.

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