SMITH’S SETTING THE PACE

DEAN SMITH hopes Aston Villa’s “scary” pace can terrify Arsenal again today.

Villa stunned Mikel Arteta’s side 3-0 away in November as Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley and twogoal Ollie Watkins

(inset) excelled.

Watkins’ second and Villa’s third was from a lightning counter-attack.

It saw goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez catch a cross before rolling the ball to Grealish to spring clear and tee up Watkins to net 12 seconds later.

Now, Villa manager Smith wants another exhilarating attacking display from skipper Grealish and the duo of Chelsea loanee Barkley and £28m record striker Watkins.

He said: “The three of them were heavily involved at Arsenal away and they have brought a different side to our game. “Bertrand Traore,

Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi as well. More pace in the team is scarier for the opposition defence.”

But Smith admits he expects Arsenal to be a different proposition today to the side Villa embarrassed at the Emirates.

He said: “I believe Arsenal are in a better place now than they were when we played them last time.

“They have brought some younger players into the team who are doing well.

“Emile Smith Rowe has performed really well.”