Arsenalvs.Aston Villa

Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery hammered the final nail into the Gunners' title coffin during the 2023-24 season, masterminding a 2-0 triumph at his old home thanks to second-half goals from Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey.

Those three points dropped represented the fatal blow for Arsenal's challenge for glory as they wound up two points adrift of Manchester City at the summit, and Watts has warned Gooners about Villa's "knack" for success at the Emirates, where they also won in 2020.

"Last year's game at home to Aston Villa ultimately cost Arsenal the title, and I think everyone remembers that game very, very well. It can be scarred on a lot of people's memories what happened in that second half of that game," Watts said.

"Villa always seemed to cause Arsenal problems at the Emirates as well. It doesn't matter who's in charge, they've just got a bit of a knack throughout the years of picking up some good results at the Emirates. The way Villa play, - fairly strong defensively, like to play on the counter-attack, pace down the flanks - they're perfectly set up to cause Arsenal problems."

Arsenal host the Lions on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 North London derby triumph over Tottenham Hotspur, seeing Arteta's men make the most of Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool all dropping points in the midweek round of fixtures.

'Big games coming thick and fast for Arsenal'

Should the Gunners conquer Villa while Liverpool lose to Brentford on Saturday, Arsenal would only be one point behind the Reds at the top of the Premier League standings, although Arne Slot's men would still have a game in hand.

However, having now closed the gap on the leaders, there is no room for error whatsoever this weekend, Watts stressed, adding: "It's just another big game. They just keep coming thick and fast.

"It doesn't matter who, every single time you look further ahead of what's to come. And it's like, 'oh my God, you've got Tottenham, then you've got Aston Villa at home.'

"They still believe, if you ask them, they can win this title. These are the games you absolutely have to win. You've got to win these games and try and put as much pressure on them as you can. So yeah, difficult game against Villa, but another one that they just simply have to win."

While Arsenal came from behind to defeat Spurs in midweek, Aston Villa's positive sequence continued with a third win in a row across all competitions away to Everton, as Watkins scored the only goal of the contest in a 1-0 triumph.

The 29-year-old has often been linked with a transfer to Arsenal, who are known to be after a new striker this month in the wake of Gabriel Jesus's ACL injury, and Watkins is no longer an undisputed starter at Villa Park thanks to the emergence of Jhon Duran.

Watts: 'Watkins would tick an awful lot of boxes for Arsenal'

Watkins has not been mentioned as a January target for Arteta's side, who would have to break the bank to sign the England international this month, but Watts wonders whether a "cheeky offer" for the boyhood Gooner might be worth Arsenal's time.

"He's a massive Arsenal fan, Ollie Watkins, and he has in the past been linked with Arsenal, but it's certainly gone a little bit quiet. I've seen more links to Duran than Ollie Watkins recently," Watts added.

"I mean, he'd be great, Ollie Watkins - is that an opportunity there? The fact that Duran's now playing more and more for Aston Villa and Watkins has found himself on the bench recently, could you go and put a cheeky offer in for someone who can play out wide or as a central striker?

"It would tick an awful lot of the boxes. It's one of those ones that falls into the category of not much resale value if you're investing now, given his age, but he'd certainly improve Arsenal. And he's the sort of player who'd be able to hit the ground running straight away, which is what you want when you make a January signing.

"It would absolutely be perfect for what Arsenal are looking for. I'd highly doubt that it's something that could ever get off the ground, however. But he caused Arsenal a lot of problems last season. And fingers crossed they'll be able to keep him more quiet this time around."

Watkins arrives at the Emirates having directly contributed to 13 goals in 21 Premier League games this season - nine of his own and four assists - and victory for Villa on Saturday could see them draw level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United if the Magpies are stunned at home to Bournemouth.

Written by

Ben Knapton