Wilshere himself was absent for a majority of the season with a broken fibula and only returned for the final few games, but should be available for participation in the European Championships with England later this year.
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A statement from the bet365 read this morning: “Newcastle and Norwich will be joining Aston Villa in the Championship next season and bet365 are 5/1 about the Magpies winning the Championship, 6/4 to be promoted and 66/1 for a second consecutive relegation”. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a set back that will keep him out until the middle of the summer and Per Mertesakcer will miss out with a hamstring injury. However there is good news about Mesut Ozil who is back in training after missing the last game with a slight hip problem whilst Jack Wilshere could start his first game since returning.
He said: “I don’t care about Arsenal”.
The Gunners have lost only three of their last 34 league meetings between the sides (W22, D9, L3). The last time Villa beat Arsenal was the opening day of 2013/2014 with a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.
Albion achieved an immediate Premier League return for the second time in their history as they recovered from finishing bottom under Tony Mowbray with a comeback as Championship runners-up under his successor Roberto Di Matteo.
Having been Premier League basement boys with Avram Grant in charge, the Hammers were revived by Sam Allardyce, who successfully navigated them through the play-offs back to the top flight and then a creditable 10th place in 2012-13. The Canaries have played only eight seasons in the Premier League and fell as low as League One in 2009.
Villa avoided a club record 12th successive league defeat by drawing 0-0 against Newcastle last week.
A continuation of his fine performances on the worldwide stage will likely result in increased interest in the Frenchman, although Arsenal will be hoping for a quiet tournament to provide them with minimal competition for the player’s signature.
Only Derby County, in 2007-08, have won fewer matches in a top-flight season than Villa’s current tally of three.
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Villa are the only team in the Premier League not to have scored more than two goals in a match in 2015-16.
