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Arsenal v Aston Villa
Emirates stadium
Saturday, 1 March
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
BBC coverage: Live on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day.
Arsenal will not rush Robin van Persie back from a thigh injury despite the absence of Eduardo, so Nicklas Bendtner will partner Emmanuel Adebayor.
Abou Diaby (calf) should return, but Kolo Toure (knee) is still out and Emmanuel Eboue remains suspended.
Aston Villa's Olof Mellberg (ankle) appears to be winning his fitness battle, after returning to training.
Patrik Berger has recovered from a hamstring problem and could challenge for a place on the substitutes' bench.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Bendtner, Adebayor, Lehmann, J Hoyte, Denilson, Gilberto, Traore, Lansbury, G Hoyte.
Aston Villa (from): Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Knight, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Berger, Osbourne, Petrov, Carew, Maloney, Harewood.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Robin van Persie's comeback: "We will not rush him but the news is quite good.
"It is difficult to say, we go step by step, but he should come back into normal training very, very quickly now.
"Maybe I'm being a little over-cautious in my statements, but I do not want to put any special pressure on him."
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Leary:
"I know we are capable of going to Arsenal and winning the game. I genuinely believe that. We have got ability in the side and pace in the side.
"We know Arsenal are very good and also very capable of beating us but we are definitely going with a lot of confidence. We are going well.
"We are a much better team than we were 18 months ago.
"I know we got a draw at their place last season but it was the first game at the Emirates and these are different circumstances. Arsenal were just finding their feet a bit as we were.
"We might get beaten Saturday but we are a much better side than we were then."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The title contenders against the European chasers. This match pits two of the Premier League's three highest scorers against each other.
Arsenal look for the victory that will not only increase the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League to 12 games, but also maintain the three-point cushion between themselves at the top of the table and second placed Manchester United.
Villa, just three points outside the top four, are hunting a 25th Premier League victory under Martin O'Neill, who will be 56 on match day. They are also on the longest continuous scoring run in the highest league of 22 matches.
Aston Villa were the first ever visitors for a Premier League fixture to the Emirates Stadium in August 2006. The game was drawn and Arsenal have lost only one of 33 since (against West Ham), and know victory over the Midlanders here will give them a fifth double of the season.
The Villans are yet to win in London this season. Two of their three visits were 4-4 draws (at Spurs and Chelsea). Defeat would be the clubs' 200th in Premier League history.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 18 Premier League matches against Villa. They have won 13 and drawn five since Villa prevailed by the odd goal in five at Villa Park on 13 December 1998.
CLUB FORM
ARSENAL
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd
All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.
1. Won eight and drawn three of 11 since the 2-1 loss against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on 9 December. That's their only defeat in 27 this season, and in 34 in total over 10 months, bridging last season.
2. Won more Premier League matches this season than any other club, with the exception of Manchester United (19 each), lost fewer (one), dropped the lowest number of points (17) and scored the highest number of goals (56, at one every 43 minutes on average).
3. Failed to penetrate the opposition defence in fewer Premier League matches than any other club; the goalless draw at Portsmouth on Boxing Day is their only blank thus far.
4. Claimed 12 more points than at this identical stage last season, and only once have they set a more impressive pace in this league. Wenger's "invincibles" had three more points (67) after 27 matches when going through the season unbeaten on their way to a third Premier League title in 2003-04.
5. Opened the scoring in 18 games; only Manchester United exceed that - scoring first in 21. Also, not lost having taken the lead (won 15, drawn three).
6. Beaten Fulham (h), Tottenham (a), Aston Villa (a) and Everton (a) from losing positions; picked up 14 points from games in which they were trailing. Only Blackburn have also won as many as four matches from being in deficit.
7. One of two clubs still holding an unbeaten home record, alongside Chelsea. Completed 18 league games at the Emirates without defeat; won 12 and drawn two this season, and won 15 and drawn three since the 0-1 reverse to West Ham on 7 April.
8. Lost one of 49 matches staged at the Emirates Stadium (all competitions).
9. Not lost against a Midlands' club in 10 matches; won six and drawn four since defeat at West Brom on 15 October 2005.
10. The Champions League return with AC Milan follows this in Italy on Tuesday, with the sides standing at 0-0. Then it's away to Wigan and home to Middlesbrough, before a heavyweight clash, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
ASTON VILLA
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 4th
Lowest could realistically fall: 6th
All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.
1. Avoided defeat in 10 of 11, and won the last two. Not managed three in a row since completing a quartet of victories on 28 November.
2. Won 13 games; already two more than in total last season. Indeed 47 points after 27 games is their best return for 12 years, since Brian Little's side had notched 49 points by this stage in 1995-96, when they were fourth - a position in which they ended the season.
3. Scored 50 goals. Only Arsenal (56) and Manchester United (55) have been more prolific.
4. Completed 13 games since keeping a clean sheet.
5. Failed to score in just two games. Only Arsenal beat that, as the opposition have kept them at bay once.
6. Come from behind on 12 occasions. Only Blackburn can match that.
7. Recovered 16 points from losing positions, the joint highest with Blackburn. Won three against Fulham (h), Wigan (a) and Newcastle (h) and drawn seven in which they were behind.
8. Fielded just 21 players. Only Blackburn have used as few.
9. Failed to score in their first two away matches of the season, but netted in all 11 since.
10. March is beginning with a trip to the leaders, and will end with a match against the champions, Manchester United at Old Trafford. Before then, it's away to Portsmouth and home to Sunderland.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
ARSENAL
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR is Arsenal's top scorer with 22 goals, and leading marksman in the Premier League with 19. The 23 year old Togo international has scored nine goals in his last eight Premier League appearances.
Theo WALCOTT, who netted a brace against Birmingham in the last game, was the first Englishman on Arsenal's goalscorers chart.
If on the field from the outset:-
Alexander HLEB will be making his 100th start in an Arsenal shirt. Justin HOYTE will be making his 50th start for the Gunners.
Suspended:- Emmanuel EBOUE (two matches)
ASTON VILLA
John CAREW is Aston Villa's top scorer with nine Premier League goals.
26 of their 50 goals have been scored by Englishmen. At 52%, it is the highest percentage in the Premier League.
If selected:- Stuart TAYLOR will be playing against the club where he started his professional career. The 27 year old goalkeeper made 30 appearances (18 in the league) for the Gunners between August 1997 and his move to Villa Park in June 2005.
HEAD TO HEAD
Last season's 1-1 draw in this corresponding fixture was Villa'a first point in nine visits to Arsenal.
The Midlanders have not won on Gunners' turf since back-to-back victories in their first two Premier League trips to Highbury on 12 April 1993 (0-1, with Tony Daley the scorer), and on 6 November 1993 (1-2, with Guy Whittingham and Andy Townsend netting).
Home and away
League (inc PL): Arsenal 64 wins, A Villa 58, Draws 35
Prem: Arsenal 16 wins, A Villa 5, Draws 10
at Arsenal only
League (inc PL): Arsenal 42 wins, A Villa 20, Draws 16
Prem: Arsenal 9 wins, A Villa 2, Draws 4
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
19 August 2006 - Ref: Graham Poll
Arsenal scorer: Silva 84
Villa scorer: Mellberg 53
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
1 December 2007 - Ref: Chris Foy
Villa scorer: Gardner 14
Arsenal scorers: Flamini 23, Adebayor 36
FORWARD!
Emirates stadium
Saturday, 1 March
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
BBC coverage: Live on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day.
Arsenal will not rush Robin van Persie back from a thigh injury despite the absence of Eduardo, so Nicklas Bendtner will partner Emmanuel Adebayor.
Abou Diaby (calf) should return, but Kolo Toure (knee) is still out and Emmanuel Eboue remains suspended.
Aston Villa's Olof Mellberg (ankle) appears to be winning his fitness battle, after returning to training.
Patrik Berger has recovered from a hamstring problem and could challenge for a place on the substitutes' bench.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Bendtner, Adebayor, Lehmann, J Hoyte, Denilson, Gilberto, Traore, Lansbury, G Hoyte.
Aston Villa (from): Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Knight, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Berger, Osbourne, Petrov, Carew, Maloney, Harewood.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Robin van Persie's comeback: "We will not rush him but the news is quite good.
"It is difficult to say, we go step by step, but he should come back into normal training very, very quickly now.
"Maybe I'm being a little over-cautious in my statements, but I do not want to put any special pressure on him."
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Leary:
"I know we are capable of going to Arsenal and winning the game. I genuinely believe that. We have got ability in the side and pace in the side.
"We know Arsenal are very good and also very capable of beating us but we are definitely going with a lot of confidence. We are going well.
"We are a much better team than we were 18 months ago.
"I know we got a draw at their place last season but it was the first game at the Emirates and these are different circumstances. Arsenal were just finding their feet a bit as we were.
"We might get beaten Saturday but we are a much better side than we were then."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
The title contenders against the European chasers. This match pits two of the Premier League's three highest scorers against each other.
Arsenal look for the victory that will not only increase the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League to 12 games, but also maintain the three-point cushion between themselves at the top of the table and second placed Manchester United.
Villa, just three points outside the top four, are hunting a 25th Premier League victory under Martin O'Neill, who will be 56 on match day. They are also on the longest continuous scoring run in the highest league of 22 matches.
Aston Villa were the first ever visitors for a Premier League fixture to the Emirates Stadium in August 2006. The game was drawn and Arsenal have lost only one of 33 since (against West Ham), and know victory over the Midlanders here will give them a fifth double of the season.
The Villans are yet to win in London this season. Two of their three visits were 4-4 draws (at Spurs and Chelsea). Defeat would be the clubs' 200th in Premier League history.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 18 Premier League matches against Villa. They have won 13 and drawn five since Villa prevailed by the odd goal in five at Villa Park on 13 December 1998.
CLUB FORM
ARSENAL
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd
All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.
1. Won eight and drawn three of 11 since the 2-1 loss against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on 9 December. That's their only defeat in 27 this season, and in 34 in total over 10 months, bridging last season.
2. Won more Premier League matches this season than any other club, with the exception of Manchester United (19 each), lost fewer (one), dropped the lowest number of points (17) and scored the highest number of goals (56, at one every 43 minutes on average).
3. Failed to penetrate the opposition defence in fewer Premier League matches than any other club; the goalless draw at Portsmouth on Boxing Day is their only blank thus far.
4. Claimed 12 more points than at this identical stage last season, and only once have they set a more impressive pace in this league. Wenger's "invincibles" had three more points (67) after 27 matches when going through the season unbeaten on their way to a third Premier League title in 2003-04.
5. Opened the scoring in 18 games; only Manchester United exceed that - scoring first in 21. Also, not lost having taken the lead (won 15, drawn three).
6. Beaten Fulham (h), Tottenham (a), Aston Villa (a) and Everton (a) from losing positions; picked up 14 points from games in which they were trailing. Only Blackburn have also won as many as four matches from being in deficit.
7. One of two clubs still holding an unbeaten home record, alongside Chelsea. Completed 18 league games at the Emirates without defeat; won 12 and drawn two this season, and won 15 and drawn three since the 0-1 reverse to West Ham on 7 April.
8. Lost one of 49 matches staged at the Emirates Stadium (all competitions).
9. Not lost against a Midlands' club in 10 matches; won six and drawn four since defeat at West Brom on 15 October 2005.
10. The Champions League return with AC Milan follows this in Italy on Tuesday, with the sides standing at 0-0. Then it's away to Wigan and home to Middlesbrough, before a heavyweight clash, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
ASTON VILLA
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 4th
Lowest could realistically fall: 6th
All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.
1. Avoided defeat in 10 of 11, and won the last two. Not managed three in a row since completing a quartet of victories on 28 November.
2. Won 13 games; already two more than in total last season. Indeed 47 points after 27 games is their best return for 12 years, since Brian Little's side had notched 49 points by this stage in 1995-96, when they were fourth - a position in which they ended the season.
3. Scored 50 goals. Only Arsenal (56) and Manchester United (55) have been more prolific.
4. Completed 13 games since keeping a clean sheet.
5. Failed to score in just two games. Only Arsenal beat that, as the opposition have kept them at bay once.
6. Come from behind on 12 occasions. Only Blackburn can match that.
7. Recovered 16 points from losing positions, the joint highest with Blackburn. Won three against Fulham (h), Wigan (a) and Newcastle (h) and drawn seven in which they were behind.
8. Fielded just 21 players. Only Blackburn have used as few.
9. Failed to score in their first two away matches of the season, but netted in all 11 since.
10. March is beginning with a trip to the leaders, and will end with a match against the champions, Manchester United at Old Trafford. Before then, it's away to Portsmouth and home to Sunderland.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
ARSENAL
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR is Arsenal's top scorer with 22 goals, and leading marksman in the Premier League with 19. The 23 year old Togo international has scored nine goals in his last eight Premier League appearances.
Theo WALCOTT, who netted a brace against Birmingham in the last game, was the first Englishman on Arsenal's goalscorers chart.
If on the field from the outset:-
Alexander HLEB will be making his 100th start in an Arsenal shirt. Justin HOYTE will be making his 50th start for the Gunners.
Suspended:- Emmanuel EBOUE (two matches)
ASTON VILLA
John CAREW is Aston Villa's top scorer with nine Premier League goals.
26 of their 50 goals have been scored by Englishmen. At 52%, it is the highest percentage in the Premier League.
If selected:- Stuart TAYLOR will be playing against the club where he started his professional career. The 27 year old goalkeeper made 30 appearances (18 in the league) for the Gunners between August 1997 and his move to Villa Park in June 2005.
HEAD TO HEAD
Last season's 1-1 draw in this corresponding fixture was Villa'a first point in nine visits to Arsenal.
The Midlanders have not won on Gunners' turf since back-to-back victories in their first two Premier League trips to Highbury on 12 April 1993 (0-1, with Tony Daley the scorer), and on 6 November 1993 (1-2, with Guy Whittingham and Andy Townsend netting).
Home and away
League (inc PL): Arsenal 64 wins, A Villa 58, Draws 35
Prem: Arsenal 16 wins, A Villa 5, Draws 10
at Arsenal only
League (inc PL): Arsenal 42 wins, A Villa 20, Draws 16
Prem: Arsenal 9 wins, A Villa 2, Draws 4
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
19 August 2006 - Ref: Graham Poll
Arsenal scorer: Silva 84
Villa scorer: Mellberg 53
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
1 December 2007 - Ref: Chris Foy
Villa scorer: Gardner 14
Arsenal scorers: Flamini 23, Adebayor 36
FORWARD!
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