With Manchester City and Chelsea both picking up wins already in their Premier League matches this week, Arsenal trail Chelsea by a point and Manchester City by two points.
This will be the second meeting between Villa and Arsenal, and it's safe to say a lot has happened since they first met.
Fast forward a few months to see that Arsenal have only failed to win five of their games since that setback. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have won just five times in league action since that meeting. It was in each team's league opener that Aston Villa went into Emirates Stadium and embarrassed Arsenal, 3-1. At that point, it looked like the Gunners were in for a rough season.
Now we can see if Aston Villa have Arsenal's number, or if they simply caught the Gunners on the right day. Of course, Arsenal made the big transfer splash fans were craving since that match as they added Mesut Ozil. So it's going to be a different Arsenal team that Villa faces.
My guess is Aston Villa will see a much improved Arsenal team from the last match.
When: Monday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET
Where: Villa Park, Trinity Road, Birmingham
TV: NBCSN/Sky Sports 1
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Key Storyline: Will Arsenal show their improvement?
As I mentioned, Aston Villa trounced Arsenal in the opener, but a lot has happened since then. For starters, Arsenal brought in the skills of Ozil, and the improvements go far beyond that.
Even Aston Villa seem to recognize that their chances of pulling off a second big win against the Gunners are diminished considering the improvements that the Gunners have made.
A Villa
1-2
0-1
1-1
0-1
2-1
0-3
Aston Villa will assess the condition of defenders Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker ahead of the clash with Arsenal.
Both club captain Vlaar and Baker sat out last weekend's FA Cup third-round loss to Sheffield United with calf and hamstring problems respectively.
Forward Gabriel Agbonlahor, who also missed the cup tie, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan are fit despite having had niggles, but the game is too soon for midfielder Chris Herd and defender Joe Bennett to make their comebacks after injury.
Arsenal
2-0
2-0
0-1
1-3
0-0
6-3
Arsenal expect to have forward Olivier Giroud back from an ankle problem and illness for the trip to Villa Park.
England forward Theo Walcott has been ruled out for the rest of the season and the World Cup after suffering knee ligament damage in the FA Cup third-round win over Tottenham.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, fit again following his own serious knee injury, could be back in the squad having played for the Under-21s on Thursday, while fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey (thigh) and defender Kieran Gibbs (calf) are also closing in on a return.
Captain Thomas Vermaelen (knee) is doubtful, while forward Nicklas Bendtner (ankle), Yaya Sanogo (back) and Abou Diaby (knee) continue their rehabilitation.
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