Aston Villa vs. Arsenal: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Arsenal will travel to Birmingham to face an in-form Aston Villa squad, as the Gunners look to break their streak of three consecutive Premier League draws.

Borussia Dortmund exposed some of the team's defensive weaknesses in midweek, recording an easy 2-0 win in UEFA Champions league play, and the Gunners' defensive injury woes won't improve in time for Saturday's fixture against the Claret and Blue.

The hosts have won three of their first four and sit a surprising second in the Premier League standings, and Paul Lambert will hope his squad can continue their excellent run of results.

Date: Saturday, September 20

Time: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

TV info and live stream: The match will be broadcast by NBCSN (for US viewers), with mobile coverage available via the network's Live Extra app.

Preview

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Both clubs face several question marks regarding some of their top players in anticipation of Saturday's match. According to Goal, Jack Wilshere's ankle injury might not be as severe as initially feared, and the England international could return in time for the fixture against Villa.

Lambert told the hosts' official website editor Paul Brown he's unsure whether Dutch international Ron Vlaar will feature in the heart of his defence, saying: "Ron is a doubt. We will have to wait on that calf to see how it heals. But Ron will be a doubt."

Christian Benteke and Joe Cole are both recovering well, but per Lambert, they're still a long way from returning to the pitch.

Mesut Ozil was once again deployed on the left wing against Dortmund, and while the German international clearly feels uncomfortable playing out wide, his lack of effort didn't sit well with fans and pundits.

Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t to Goal's James Goldman), compatriot Michael Ballack blames the Gunners:

"

What's happened with him? I don't know. There must be something behind [the scenes] because his head is mostly down, the body language is not improving even with the world champion [medal] in the pocket.

I don't really know what's happened over the last year since he moved from Madrid to Arsenal.

A player like him with his ability should have tried to stay longer at Real Madrid. That is my opinion. You could see there was a little bit trouble, a little bit moaning. I think he played well but you need time to adapt at a club.

If there is some ups and downs [at a club] you need to fight these things and now it's a little bit the same situation. He got criticised here [at Arsenal], he's not at his best but I don't see a reaction.

"

Criticism on his performances continues to grow, and Ozil needs a strong performance against Villa to silence some of his detractors. If Wilshere is unable to play on Saturday, Arsene Wenger might elect to play the German down the centre, his preferred position.

But even if he doesn't, Ozil needs to show the fans he's at least willing to work, something he didn't show in his lethargic display on Tuesday.

Aston Villa won't take things easy on the Gunners, however. The hosts have enjoyed an excellent start to their 2014-15 campaign, and Lambert was rewarded with a new contract, per BBC's Ben Smith:

The Claret and Blue have conceded just a single goal this season and frustrated Liverpool in Week 4, recording a shock 1-0 win. Villa may not have the most talented squad, but they're physical and disciplined in defence and opportunistic in the attacking third.

Momentum is a powerful tool, and on Saturday, it will be firmly in the hosts' corner. With fixtures against Tottenham and Chelsea fast approaching, Arsenal can't afford to drop any points when they travel to Birmingham in Week 5.

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