Alex McLeish believes Aston Villa should approach Sunday's FA Cup clash at Arsenal with "no fear" even though he concedes Arsene Wenger's side will be favourites to reach the fifth round.
The Villa boss feels the Gunners will be the team under pressure and their players aware of the need to halt their recent poor run of results.
McLeish also has the memory of triumphing over Arsenal in last season's Carling Cup final when Birmingham boss while Villa won 2-1 when they visited the Emirates Stadium last season.
But the Scot knows Villa will have to be at their best if they are to spring a surprise result despite Arsenal's current lengthy injury list.
McLeish said: "I don't see why we should be fearing Arsenal. I am sure the lads will remember what they have done at the Emirates before.
"Statistics don't determine the outcome of this latest encounter but it does offer the players evidence they can do it against the best of the Arsenal teams."
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Villa play better away at the moment. Arsenal are on a run of bad form and Villa have Keane. Dont bet on Arsenal winning this easily as it could go either way
Arsenal cant afford to loose four games consecutively. Villa is in trouble
Murder us really think if you look Zorro we have a good record at the Emirates, and thats against better Arsenal teams then you currently have Villa have an excellent chance as long as they are positive the longer it goes 0-0 the more the Arsenal fans will get on Wenger's back.
Keane is playing so there will be cartwheels, Henry will be injured in a serious clash!
alex should be cause i think arsenal will totally murder them 4-0 arsenal easy.!!!
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