Arsenal will welcome back “incredible” Aston Villa manager Unai Emery for the first time in the Premier League on Sunday.
WHO: Arsenal vs Aston Villa, Premier League
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Sunday 14 April 15:30 GMT
Head-to-head balance: 202 games – 87 wins for Arsenal, 70 for Aston Villa, 45 draws
Aston Villa’s progress under former Arsenal coach Unai Emery is incredible, said his Gunners successor Mikel Arteta ahead of the Premier League clash.
On Sunday, Emery will face Arsenal’s home fans for the first time since leaving the club. His previous visit in 2021 as Villarreal coach took place behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What they have done since Unai arrived has made a big impact on the club in terms of his performance. They are still in European competition and played (on Thursday). “Really impressed with what they did,” Arteta told reporters.
Villa finished seventh last season after Emery joined in October 2022, their first top 10 finish since 2010/11. They are now in fifth place with 60 points, 11 behind leaders Arsenal.
Emery, 52, also reached 1,000 games as coach as Villa beat Lille 2-1 in the Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.
“Incredible. And he has done it in so many different countries and contexts,” said Arteta.
“He comes from near my hometown. I have great admiration and respect for him. Wish him all the best after Sunday.”
Arsenal have already prevailed against the Villains
Arsenal lost at Villa in October and with Liverpool level on points and defending champions Manchester City one behind, Arteta stressed the need to focus on each game without becoming distracted from the title race.
“Every game will decide what our future looks like,” he added. “It’s the only thing possible to look at a game and a day. Because it’s the only thing that keeps you focused and determines the task you need to complete that day.”
In striker Ollie Watkins, who was involved in a league-high 28 goals (18 goals and 10 assists), Villa have a player who can dash Arsenal’s hopes.
In fact, Watkins is one step away from equaling the club record of 19 Premier League goals set by Christian Benteke in the 2012/13 season.
Douglas Luiz is suspended after the midfielder picked up his 10th yellow card last weekend.
Matty Cash and Clement Lenglet have returned to training and could feature, but Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Emi Buendia are all still injured.
Al Jazeera Sport will broadcast Arsenal and Liverpool’s games live on Sunday, including four hours of build-up as well as full-text commentary and post-match reaction.