Villa plot to gun down Gunners

Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
Venue: Villa Park
Kick off: 2:30pm

Aston Villa will look to end their club-record 14-match winless run in the Premier League when they host Arsenal at Villa Park on Sunday (today).
The Gunners are flying high after reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League and will be eyeing another victory in their clash against Remi Garde’s men.
Villa have endured a miserable campaign in the Premier League as they have not recorded a victory since the opening day of the season.
The club are seven points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table and the gap could widen before they take to the pitch against the Gunners today.
However, Garde’s side did show a spark in their 1-1 draw against Southampton last week, and came close to earning the three points before Oriol Romeu’s goal denied them victory.
Villa have also struggled immensely at the other end of the pitch, being the joint-lowest scorers in the division with Stoke City on 13 goals.
Jordan Ayew is the club’s leading marksman this season with three goals.
Garde will be determined to improve his side’s form at home to keep them in with a chance of remaining in the division.
Villa have taken just two points from their seven matches at Villa Park this season, and beating his former club could kickstart a revival under the Frenchman.
The Gunners will be buoyant after securing their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a resounding 3-0 win over Olympiacos in Greece.
Arsene Wenger’s side needed to produce a flawless performance and delivered in style as Olivier Giroud netted a hat-trick to ensure that his team would advance to the knockout stage of the competition.
Arsenal will now turn their attentions back to the Premier League where they will be determined to end their 12-year drought for the top-flight crown.
The Gunners managed to overcome a stubborn Sunderland side to claim a 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium to move above Manchester City in second place in the table, two points behind leaders Leicester City.
The victory over the Black Cats will have pleased Wenger as his side ended a run of three games without a win, despite the absences of Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla along with other key players.
The Frenchman will be eyeing finishing the calendar year in top spot as crucial games await his team over the festive period, and Giroud has found his form at the right time for Arsenal to boost the fourth-most potent attack in the Premier League.
Arsenal have scored 27 goals in their 15 matches this term, but have also been resolute at the back, shipping just 13 strikes and keeping six clean sheets. However, the club’s last shutout came in October against Swansea City, a run which Wenger will be determined to end.
The Gunners have been the second-best team on the road this season, losing just twice on their travels against Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion. They will be looking to continue their good form to move temporarily top of the table by claiming three points at Villa Park.

Aston Villa possible starting lineup: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna, Veretout, Sanchez, Gueye, Ayew, Gestede, Sinclair.
Arsenal possible starting lineup: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Flamini, Campbell, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.