Aston Villa face tough test against in-form Arsenal

Paul Lambert knows his side face one of their biggest tests after coming under fire for their style of play this term as the Gunners arrive at Villa Park tonight unbeaten in B6 since 1998.

Villa's lack of possession has come under the spotlight and been used to highlight their failings this term.

A 1-1 draw against Swansea last month was earned with just 23 per cent of the ball and, despite winning 1-0 at Sunderland, Villa had just 35 per cent possession.

Against Southampton last month they won 3-2 despite just 22 per cent possession and their 3-2 victory over Manchester City saw the visitors boss the game with 67 per cent of the ball.

Over the course of the six wins this season, Villa have averaged just 34.2 per cent of the possession but Lowton insisted they are lying in wait to reel in the Gunners.

He said: "In the games we've won we're not looking too much into possession, it's more about the win.

Pressed

"It's a bit of a trap. We set traps; they come onto us, we win the ball back and then break on them. The pace we have going forward – especially now Christian (Benteke) is back – it frightens teams on the break and it works. There's no point in trying to change it.

"It's just something which happens. We don't just sit back and say: 'Let the other teams have it,' but we don't run into people's faces and get out of position either.

"We set out to keep the ball ourselves but I think a lot of teams have pressed us this season, seeing as how we passed it last season – especially towards the end. They have got in our faces a bit more this season."

Villa last beat Arsenal at home in December 1998 when they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 after Dion Dublin's brace and Julian Joachim's goal cancelled out Dennis Bergkamp's double.

But the 3-1 away win over the Gunners on the opening day of this season has convinced Lowton they can repeat the success.

"In the last few games we stopped the rot in the Premier League after drawing against Swansea and beating Sunderland," he said. "Arsenal will be tough, they are playing well but we're going into the game trying to get three points like we always do. We beat them earlier on in the season so there's no reason why we can't do so again.

"They have got world- class players, you can't argue with that and they are playing well. We will get in their faces and it won't be easy for them to come to Villa Park. We'll make sure we'll harry them and try and force them into mistakes.

"They can definitely win the league, but it's tight at the top and we'll have to see what comes in."

The 24-year-old has regained his place in the team after almost three months out following a loss of form at the start of the season.

He lost his place to Leandro Bacuna in September before returning for his recent run in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last month. While he was out of the team, Lowton criticised his own performances in an interview with the Express & Star.

And the right-back insisted he will never shy away from criticism because he knows what is expected of him.

He said: "Last season was great, it was beyond my expectations when I first came. It was difficult not playing this season, but it makes you appreciate it better. I got my head down and worked hard; now I want to make sure I stay there.

"I'm always honest, there's no point lying about performances which everyone can see. I might have been a bit hard on myself, but that's how I look at the game. If I've not done well I know I need to push myself and when you are in the Premier League you can't rest on mediocre performances, you've got to perform every week.

"I worked hard – on and off the pitch – and I've started the last six games now. Hopefully the performances will start picking up now and I'll hit the heights I did last year – and I'll stay in the team."

Ron Vlaar is expected to return after a calf injury, meaning Lowton will return to right-back after a stint covering the skipper at centre-back.

He was drafted in to the middle at Sunderland and against the Blades after Nathan Baker injured his hamstring in the warm-up.

He admits it is a position he has played before, but does not believe he would be cut out to be a long-term deputy.

He said: "When I was in the Championship with Sheffield United we had a run of four or five games when I played centre-half because people were injured. I quite enjoyed it, because we played football and it was starting from us at the back.

"I've played there a few times, I just think it's a lot more difficult with the quality that centre-halves have got in the Premier League. If I had to play there on a regular basis it would be a bit more difficult that it was when I was at United.

"At Sunderland we knew we were leading at the time and it was massive for us to hold on and keep a clean sheet. I relished the task and tried to stay aggressive and win my tackles.

"They had a lot of the ball, but they didn't create too many clear-cut chances and that's because of how we defended as a team. Westy and Delphy (Ashley Westwood and Fabian Delph) sat in front of the back four making them go wide and we dealt with the crosses."