Just two from Arsenal make combined XI with Villa based on this season's performances

There may only be one place and one point between the sides heading into Saturday's lunchtime kick off between Aston Villa and Arsenal, but a combined XI between the two sides based on this season's league ratings comes out very one-sided...

Indeed, Villa fans would point to the fact that they sit above the Gunners in the table with two games in hand over Mikel Arteta's side, so in truth this is a massive game for the visitors if they want to mount a top six challenge.

The Villans romped to a 3-0 victoy in the reverse fixture, and this lineup would suggest that despite a swing in terms of form of the two teams, they should be considered favourites once more.

Former Gunner Emi Martinez (7.02 rating) takes the spot in goal having kept a clean sheet in half of his 20 appearances this season, and would have done so comfortably even if it weren't for suspension to Bernd Leno. It's an all-Villa back four to boot, and again, that would not have changed were David Luiz (suspension) or Kieran Tierney (injured) available.

Targett's superior rating (6.90) to the latter may surprise many, but the left-back has undoubtedly enjoyed his best run of form form Villa in recent months. It's the defensive side of his game that has really improved this season, averaging 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game combined to Tierney's meagre 1.6.

In an admittedly attacking midfield trio, John McGinn will have to do the lions' share of the work, beating the likes of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and clubmate Douglas Luiz to the spot in the middle. The Scot is flanked by teammate Ross Barkley, while there's no real surprise in seeing Jack Grealish (7.81) and Ollie Watkins (7.30) make the cut, boasting the two strongest ratings on show having had a direct hand in 16 and 11 goals respectively.

That means there is room for just two Arsenal players, and it's the Gunners' academy duo of Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka that complete a lineup dominated by this week's hosts. Both have excelled of late, with six of Saka's seven goal contributions in the league coming since Christmas, while no teammate has more assists than Smith-Rowe (3) despite the youngster making just eight league appearances.