Tale of the game
This could see former Arsenal favourite Robert Pires face his former club. Pires left Arsenal in 2006 and returned to the Premier League last week, making his Villa debut as a 69th minute substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn.
Arsenal have an impressive record at Villa Park, where they have not lost in the Premier League for nearly 12 years.
Villa last beat Arsenal at home in December 1998; since they, in 11 visits, Arsenal have drawn six and won five.
Arsenal have won 14 points away from home, from 21, with only one defeat away from the Emirates. And Arsenal have lost just three of their 18 Premier League visits to Villa Park.
