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Premier League
Feb 23, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Aston Villa logo

2-1

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Arsene Wenger wary of Christian Benteke threat

Arsene Wenger praises Christian Benteke ahead of Arsenal's clash with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said that his team must keep Christian Benteke quiet when they take on Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

The Gunners will be looking to put pressure on their North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur by taking three points at home before Andre Villas-Boas takes his team to Upton Park on Monday.

Wenger expects a tough test from the Villans - particularly from Benteke, who he said has a "fantastic presence" in attack.

"It is always a battle against Villa," Wenger told reporters. "They have recently had some good results including a 3-3 draw at Everton.

"They know that they are fighting to avoid relegation. So it will be a typical Premier League game today and we have to prepare ourselves for a fight.

"Benteke has fantastic presence. He's a battler, physical and is good in the air. We've seen these qualities against us already this season and we'll need to keep him quiet."

Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League, four points behind Spurs.

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Michael Penkman
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Villa boss Paul Lambert watches on against Swansea on January 1, 2013
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2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
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5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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