Stephen Warnock believes Aston Villa have the attacking variety to
unsettle Arsenal in Sunday's Premier League top-four clash.
And the England full-back insists Martin O'Neill's side will
go to the Emirates Stadium with a "positive mentality".
Villa have already triumphed over Liverpool, Chelsea and
Manchester United this season and will be bidding for a fifth
successive league win.
It is a crucial three days for Villa, who host the return
clash with Rafael Benitez's side on Tuesday.
Warnock said: "The Christmas period is very important for us
because we have got tough games coming up.
"But we know that if we can stay in and around the top four
until after Christmas, then we have a very good chance of being
there come the end of the season.
"Every game is one you have to win. I don't think you can
ever go into a game saying 'we'll take a draw here or we'll take
this'.
"I think you have to be positive going into every game. We'll
go to Arsenal and we'll look to win.
"You have to go there with the ambition of winning. That's
the mentality we should have."
Warnock, in fine form since his move from Blackburn during
the summer, added: "We know Arsenal have got people like (Theo)
Walcott, (Samir) Nasri and (Andrey) Arshavin.
"They're going to be swapping all over the place - but we've
got the same versatility ourselves.
"We've got Ashley Young and Stewart Downing who are moving
from wing to wing every two minutes and defenders are wondering
what on earth is going on.
"Then you've got James Milner who can pull out there and make
it hard for people to read where he's going.
"I think people are looking at us now and saying 'Villa have
got the flexibility to beat people' in the same way as Arsenal have
got the flexibility to beat people."
O'Neill has hinted he may rotate his squad during the next
few weeks and Warnock believes players will be looking to stake
their claim for the Carling Cup semi-final with Blackburn in the
new year.
He said: "The players will look forward to playing every game
and they'll want to be putting ideas in the manager's mind for the
semi-final.
"They will be wanting to get in his team - and stay in his
team."
O'Neill has consistently said Chelsea are the team to
overhaul to win the title this season but still regards the Gunners
as genuine contenders. He said: "My own view is they are capable of
winning the league. Absolutely. (Robin) Van Persie being out would
be a definite loss to any side. He is a world-class player.
"That would be a blow to them, particularly losing a player
in a needless friendly (international) match which is really
galling.
"But they have the ability to overcome that. They can really
play. There was talk some weeks ago of Arsenal not having the
physical strength. I personally don't believe that.
"They might not be as strong as the Arsenal side which won
the league championship which was a strong and athletic a side as
has played in the Premier League.
"But they are a year older and I think they are good enough
to win it."
O'Neill's only injury doubt surrounds striker Emile Heskey,
who suffered a groin injury during last weekend's single-goal
success over Stoke.
If he is ruled out, then John Carew is likely to be restored
to the line-up after coming off the bench to net the winner against
Tony Pulis' side.
