Pundits agree on Arsenal vs Aston Villa prediction as Bukayo Saka question asked

Arsenal will go in search of their 23rd win of the season when they host European football-chasing Aston Villa

Arsenal will have no trouble overcoming Aston Villa, according to a trio of pundits ahead of their visit to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners will go in search of their third consecutive league win to boost their hopes of being crowned champions next month. Liverpool are level on points in second place, but Mikel Arteta's side have a better goal difference.

Fifth-placed Vill, need a positive result to maintain their chances of securing Champions League football, alive. Following a defeat to Manchester City and a draw to Brentford respectively, they sit level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, who have a better goal difference.

Ahead of the clash, here's what Harry Redknapp, Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have had to say...

Redknapp's prediction

He told Bet Victor: "That game against Bayern Munich was fantastic. Arsenal were surprisingly poor at the back but going forward, I thought they were excellent.

"Bukayo Saka in particular was brilliant and caused them so many problems. I loved the feet from Gabriel Jesus for the second as well, that was brilliant! Aston Villa did alright on Thursday night, but Unai Emery probably would have wanted a larger lead to take to France.

READ MORE: Agent explains how Eddie Howe 'reset' saved Joelinton's Newcastle United career

READ MORE: It's time for Eddie Howe to unleash unseen £145m Newcastle United trio on Spurs

"Villa just don’t seem to be at their best right now – I worry that they’ve ran out of steam. I’ve got to favour Arsenal here, particularly with Villa playing on Thursday night."

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa.

Merson's prediction

"I watched Aston Villa against Brentford and if they play like that against Arsenal - turn the lights off," he wrote in his SportsKeeda column. "I have to go with the home side here as they have been unbelievable especially since the turn of the year and their record at the Emirates Stadium makes for impressive reading.

"Villa haven't won a trophy since 1996 so they will be keen on winning the Europa Conference League."

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa.

Sutton's prediction

Lastly, Sutton told BBC Sport: "Arsenal got a bit of criticism for their performance against Bayern Munich in midweek but I didn't think they were that bad. You can't be dismissive of Bayern with the players they've got and if Bukayo Saka had gone for goal at the end of the game rather than chucking himself into Manuel Neuer, Arsenal would have won. I don't know what Saka was thinking there.

"This is another tricky game for the Gunners with former boss Unai Emery returning to the Emirates. Aston Villa beat them before Christmas and they are very dangerous coming forward.

"Villa have definitely got a goal in them, but I don't think they are going to outscore Arsenal. There is too much at stake now for Mikel Arteta's side, and the Premier League leaders have too much to lose."

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa.