Premier League preview: Aston Villa v Arsenal

Arsenal travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday with the title firmly out of their reach, according to Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners’ boss made the declaration after their disappointing 1-0 loss to leaders Manchester City on Sunday pushed them 12 points adrift.

“It is a game we could not afford to lose, which is why defeat is difficult to take,” Wenger said.

“At the moment we are too far behind and it will be difficult to close the gap on City now.”

Arsenal are fifth in the table having improved markedly from their dismal start to the campaign, which saw them win just two of seven.

However, even a run of seven wins and a draw in the eight games before the City loss has not been enough to push them back into contention.

Losses to the top three – City, Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as Liverpool – certainly have not helped and despite Robin van Persie’s irrepressible form, Arsenal find themselves well behind the leading pack.

Wenger confirmed that defender Johan Djourou would miss their fixtures over the Christmas period after injuring his groin against City, while Bacary Sagna is still a few weeks away.

Villa have had similar troubles with the better sides in the league with the Arsenal fixture their third-consecutive home game against a top-six club.

Losses to Manchester United and Liverpool at Villa Park, either side of their first away win at Bolton, see them down 10th.

Villa lacked fire power in Sunday’s loss to Liverpool with Gabriel Agbonlahor’s and Darren Bent’s absence glaring up front.

However, manager Alex McLeish is hopeful the pair, along with Australian right-back Chris Herd, will be available for Arsenal’s visit.

“We hope Darren can make it for midweek, we’ll probably get (Chris Herd) scanned so I’m not sure – but we’ll definitely get Gabby back, so that’s a bonus for us.”