This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy Soccer series.
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Aston Villa have 180 minutes left to save their lives and remain in the English Premier League for one more year, as the Villains sit 18th in the table with 31 points, tied with Bournemouth and only three points behind 17th-place Watford, who play against Manchester City on Tuesday. Villa are coming off two straight games without defeat (W1, D1) but have a tough matchup ahead since the Gunners have dropped just one of their last five league outings (W3, D1, L1). Arsenal still have an outside shot of reaching the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League qualifying zone, so they are not going to give this match away by any means. It will be a key fixture for both clubs, but Arsenal should have a boosted morale after they dispatched Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinals this past weekend.
Recent Form
Aston Villa: W1, D1, L3
Arsenal: W3, D1, L1
Team News
Aston Villa
OUT: Neil Taylor (hamstring), Bjorn Engels (Achilles), Tom Heaton (knee), Wesley Moraes (knee)
Doubtful: Kortney Hause (oblique)
Arsenal
OUT: Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Bernd Leno (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle), Calum Chambers (knee)
Doubtful: Matteo Guendouzi (not injury related), Mesut Ozil (back)
Expected Lineups
Aston Villa: Pepe Reina; Kortney Hause, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett; Conor Hourihane, John McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Jack Grealish, Mbwana Samatta, Trezeguet
Arsenal: Emiliano Martinez; Rob Holding, David Luiz, Cedric Soares, Kieran Tierney;
Game Preview
Aston Villa have 180 minutes left to save their lives and remain in the English Premier League for one more year, as the Villains sit 18th in the table with 31 points, tied with Bournemouth and only three points behind 17th-place Watford, who play against Manchester City on Tuesday. Villa are coming off two straight games without defeat (W1, D1) but have a tough matchup ahead since the Gunners have dropped just one of their last five league outings (W3, D1, L1). Arsenal still have an outside shot of reaching the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League qualifying zone, so they are not going to give this match away by any means. It will be a key fixture for both clubs, but Arsenal should have a boosted morale after they dispatched Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinals this past weekend.
Recent Form
Aston Villa: W1, D1, L3
Arsenal: W3, D1, L1
Team News
Aston Villa
OUT: Neil Taylor (hamstring), Bjorn Engels (Achilles), Tom Heaton (knee), Wesley Moraes (knee)
Doubtful: Kortney Hause (oblique)
Arsenal
OUT: Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Bernd Leno (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle), Calum Chambers (knee)
Doubtful: Matteo Guendouzi (not injury related), Mesut Ozil (back)
Expected Lineups
Aston Villa: Pepe Reina; Kortney Hause, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett; Conor Hourihane, John McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Jack Grealish, Mbwana Samatta, Trezeguet
Arsenal: Emiliano Martinez; Rob Holding, David Luiz, Cedric Soares, Kieran Tierney; Bukayo Saka, Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe
Top Picks
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal: Aston Villa have been one of the worst defensive teams in the Premier League this season, so Aubameyang looks like a strong pick for this matchup. The Gabon international scored twice against Manchester City in the FA Cup this past weekend, and he has netted 20 goals in 34 EPL appearances this season.
Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal: Lacazette has been playing at a high level over the last few weeks, netting three goals in his last four league appearances. The Frenchman could form an intriguing partnership with Aubameyang up front given Villa's defensive struggles.
Captain and Vice-Captain Options
Dream11 Team
DF: David Luiz
DF: Tyrone Mings
DF: Cedric Soares
MF: Nicolas Pepe
MF: Bukayo Saka
MF: Jack Grealish
MF: John McGinn
MF: Douglas Luiz
FW: Alexandre Lacazette (VC)
FW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (C)
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.
