Fixtures
- Luton Town Vs. Aston Villa – Sat, Mar 2nd 2024, 17:30
At A Glance
Aston Villa make their first trip to Kenilworth Road since 2016 when they take on Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday.
On their last visit, a League Cup tie, the League Two Hatters ran out 3-1 winners, and this will be the sides’ first league meeting in Luton since 1992.
Unai Emery’s team have put together a three-match unbeaten run away from home in the top flight, including a 2-1 victory against Fulham last time out on the road.
Luton currently occupy the final relegation spot after dropping into the bottom three on the back of three straight losses.
Home defeats to Sheffield United and Manchester United were followed by a 4-1 loss against Liverpool at Anfield.
The FA Cup failed to provide a change of fortunes in midweek as Rob Edwards’ side lost 6-2 to Manchester City.
Standout Stats
Aston Villa are vying to record their second league double against Luton, having previously done so in the top flight in 1989-90.
The Hatters have won nine of their past 11 home games versus Villa in all competitions, including each of the previous three.
Villa’s only match away to Luton in the last 32 years was a 3-1 defeat in the League Cup in 2016.
The Hatters are at risk of four consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time since losing their opening four matches in August and September.
Villa have only lost one of 15 league games this season against teams currently in the bottom half of the table (prior to the latest round of fixtures).
Luton have been beaten in seven of their eight league matches this season against teams currently in the top six, with their only point coming in November’s 1-1 draw versus Liverpool.
Villa are vying to win three consecutive top-flight away matches for the first time in 13 months.
Town have scored in a club record 13 consecutive top-flight matches, last failing to net in a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on 11 November, and have scored in all but one of their Premier League home fixtures.
Ollie Watkins has scored 14 top-flight goals this season, one shy of his career-best figure set in 2022-23. The only player to net at least 15 Premier League goals for Villa in multiple seasons is Dwight Yorke, who scored 17 in both 1995-96 and 1996-97.
Rob Edwards’ team have scored 12 Premier League headers this season, a tally exceeded only by Arsenal.
Each of Douglas Luiz’s past 11 Premier League goals have been scored at Villa Park, with his last top-flight away goal coming in a 1-1 draw at Brentford on 22 April 2023.
Carlton Morris can become the first Luton player to score in three consecutive top-flight home matches since Iain Dowie did so in four successive games in 1990.
The Last Meeting
Aston Villa recorded a convincing triumph against Luton Town at Villa Park back in October.
The home side were in the ascendency from the off, seeing chances for Nicolò Zaniolo and Ollie Watkins go begging before John McGinn netted the opener after 17 minutes.
It stayed 1-0 until four minutes into the second half when Moussa Diaby was in the right place to thrash home his third goal of the season.
More great work from the French winger led to Tom Lockyer putting through his own goal just past the hour mark.
At the other end, the clean sheet was taken away from Emi Martínez inside the final ten minutes when Ezri Konsa’s header rebounded off the crossbar and hit him before rolling over the line.
Team News
Defenders Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa will return to Villa’s matchday squad, but Unai Emery has yet to decide if they are ready to start.
Jhon Durán is progressing well but will not be available at Kenilworth Road, joining Diego Carlos on the sidelines along with long-term absentees Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendía and Boubacar Kamara.
Luton have a number of injury problems heading into the fixture.
Jacob Brown, Mads Andersen, Marvelous Nakamba, Tom Lockyer, Elijah Adebayo, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Gabriel Osho and Dan Potts are out, while Amari’i Bell and Joe Johnson will also be assessed.
The Boss
“Maybe they haven’t had good results because they didn’t win in their last matches but they are playing very well. I appreciate a lot how they are playing: very aggressive, man-to-man, playing in combinations. Barkley is in a very good moment. I don’t know if they will play with some players who are doubts, but their structure doesn’t change. With different players they are playing the same. They are demanding a lot in the last matches against Manchester United, against Manchester City, against Liverpool. They lost but they played fantastic matches. I respect them a lot and I know tomorrow is going to be very difficult.” – Unai Emery
