Unai Emery always considers it a special occasion to return to North London, having previously spent 18 months in charge of Arsenal. The Spaniard is set to return to the Emirates with Aston Villa today, in what is expected to be a highly anticipated match in the Premier League, with both teams eager to secure three points. While Arsenal is still firmly in the title race, Villa will be aiming to take advantage of Tottenham’s recent defeat, as a positive result at Arsenal could propel them back into the top four. Despite Arsenal’s recent good form, Villa will arrive at the Emirates as the underdogs. To change this perception, Emery must address a key issue that has been evident in their recent matches. Despite having a successful season overall, Villa has struggled in the past few weeks, managing only one win in their last five Premier League games. During this period, they have conceded a worrying 12 league goals, three times the number conceded by Arsenal since the beginning of 2024. Journalists Jacob Tanswell and Dan Bardell expressed concerns about one particular issue that Villa needs to resolve before their visit to the Emirates on the 1874 podcast.
Why Aston Villa boss Unai Emery warned of key ’cause for concern’ ahead of Arsenal clash
