Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Jack Grealish is in contention for Villa after a two-match absence as punishment for his off-field behaviour.
Leandro Bacuna and Rudy Gestede are both fit despite picking up knocks last weekend, but captain Micah Richards remains doubtful with a knee injury.
Arsenal report no fresh injuries after their midweek win over Olympiakos.
The Gunners remain without Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Tomas Rosicky.
Editor’s Note: Arsenal make the trip to Birmingham fresh off the back of their European Great Escape in Greece on Wednesday and will look to get a win at Villa Park to return to the top of the table for at least 24 hours
Midweek hero Oliver Giroud will start and look to carry that form into Sunday’s encounter as Arsenal look to build on their win over Sunderland last weekend which was their first league in 4 matches.
As always the main concern for Arsene Wenger is injuries thankfully there were no new injuries to add to the list in Midweek but they are still without an incredibly long list of absentees so after drawing their last away game to Norwich a fortnight ago they have to make sure there is no repeat of the same on Sunday against the league’s bottom side
There is the interesting tale of the master versus the apprentice on Sunday as Arsene Wenger goes up against Remi Garde, with Wenger bringing the current Villa boss to Highbury in 1996. Remi Garde saw his side get a battling point away at Southampton last weekend which is a small step after two miserable defeats to Everton and Watford previous.
But Garde is still looking for his first win in charge of Villa, while the club are still searching for a first win since the opening day of the season. Can a win come tomorrow in what would be considered one of if not the upset of the season so far. Unfortunately for Villa fans I don’t think the fairytale will come tomorrow and Arsenal should go top of the table by the end of Sunday evening. An away win for me
