Mark Lawrenson states his prediction on Aston Villa v Arsenal

Arsenal are set to face their next Premier League rivals, Aston Villa, on Saturday. Gunners are currently sitting in 10th place in the league table, while Villa are 9th on the list of the competitors. Mikel Arteta's side will be hoping to celebrate a victory in the upcoming clash, following their 2 - 1 defeat to Wolves this week. However, BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson believes Villa are the favorites to win the game with a score of 2 - 1.

"West Ham did a job on Aston Villa on Wednesday but, unlike last season, I don't look at Dean Smith's side when they lose now and think they are going to go on a run of bad results," he said.

"The Hammers were set up to nullify Jack Grealish, and it worked, so it will be interesting to see how Arsenal approach this one.

"Will the Gunners bother doing that with Grealish, or will they just think they are better than Villa and just go and play their football? I don't know.

"Arsenal are without the suspended David Luiz in defence after his red card in Tuesday's defeat by Wolves, so they might change their shape and go with three at the back - but I fancy Villa to edge this one anyhow."

Source: BBC Sport 

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