Arsenal and Aston Villa reconvene after meeting a few weeks ago, with the upcoming game at the Emirates tipped to shift the scales of the title race.
Arsenal secured their third consecutive win in the Premier League since losing on their trip to Aston Villa earlier this month. This time, it was Brighton & Hove Albion that visited the Emirates, as the Gunners got it over the line despite the Seagulls threatening in the middle of the second half.
There has been some criticism directed towards Arsenal over their inability to finish off chances, and the game against Brighton was yet another example of that. A stunning strike from Martin Odegaard opened the scoring in the first half, while a Georginio Rutter’s own goal off a Declan Rice corner doubled the Gunners’ lead.
A Diego Gomez strike midway through the second half provided Brighton with hope. It was Arsenal stopper David Raya who saved his team’s blushes with a stunning save from a Yankuba Minteh shot. As for the title race, the upcoming game against Aston Villa at the Emirates will be key for Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta will want to exact revenge on a team that is currently the most in-form side in the Premier League.
Aston Villa are in a stellar vein of form at the moment, after securing their eleventh win in a row across all competitions. Earlier in the month, the victory over Arsenal was pivotal for Unai Emery’s side, who closed the gap to the league leaders to just three points and have stayed there ever since.
At the weekend, an Ollie Watkins double secured three points at Stamford Bridge, as Aston Villa secured their eleventh win in a row courtesy of the victory over Chelsea. Some questions are being asked of their underlying numbers, which do not translate to Villa being so high on the table, but during this incredible run, they have ousted the Gunners, Manchester United, Manchester City and now Chelsea.
There are many doubts over their realistic credentials to challenge for the Premier League title, but as things stand, Aston Villa are part of a three-horse title race. Hence, the game against Arsenal is all the more important for their chances, as a win opens new possibilities while a defeat will probably be a setback of sorts.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Injuries have been a common theme around Arsenal’s season this time, and when an injured player returns, another suffers a problem. Such was the case at the weekend, as Gabriel Magalhaes returned to the squad, while Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber were withdrawn from the squad with fresh concerns.
There is no clarity on the situation with the full-back pair, although Timber might be fit to start going by some rumblings that his absence might be associated with load management. Should he not make it to the team for the Aston Villa game, and considering Ben White is also injured, Rice might continue at right-back.
The return of Gabriel to the squad is a big boost for Arteta, especially if Calafiori is not fit to start. Piero Hincapie could shift to a left-back role at the expense of Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Mikel Merino might once again start in a midfield role.
There might be no further changes to the team on the front line, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Leandro Trossard all expected to play in the attacking third. Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line, although he will be under pressure this time around as Kai Havertz is closing in on a return to the team after being spotted in team training.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Rice, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Gyokeres
Aston Villa
The win over Chelsea did come at a big cost as Aston Villa are set to be without key duo Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara for the trip to Arsenal. The two stars picked up yellow cards that earned them suspensions for the upcoming game, and Unai Emery must find solutions to fill their absences.
Lamare Bogarde is the likely choice to replace Cash at right-back, while Amadou Onana might come in for Kamara in the midfield role. Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley are the only ones missing out with injury issues, while Pau Torres remains a significant doubt for this trip.
Evann Guessand is off to the AFCON to represent the Ivory Coast, meaning Emery might have to rely on players who started against Chelsea in the attacking third. There might be a change in the frontline, as match-winner Watkins may replace Donyell Malen in the centre-forward role.
John McGinn will continue to assume the role on the right-hand side of the attacking third, with Emiliano Buendia likely to essay a more central role. The in-form Morgan Rogers will start on the left flank, with Watkins leading the line for Aston Villa against Arsenal.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins
Key Stats
- Arsenal have lost three of their last five Premier League matches against Aston Villa (W1 D1) and could see the Villans complete a league double over them for the third time in six seasons (also 2020/21 and 2023/24), something they had done just once previously in the competition beforehand, in 1992/93. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last two away league games against Arsenal, beating them 2-0 in April 2024 and drawing 2-2 in January last season. They last had a longer run without defeat the Emirates between 2006/07 and 2008/09 (3).
- Arsenal have won their last three games in the Premier League.
- Arsenal are unbeaten at home this season across all competitions.
- Aston Villa have won their last eight matches in the Premier League. The Villans have won with a one-goal margin in their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Eberechi Eze has scored in his team’s final Premier League match of the calendar year in the last three years, all for Crystal Palace (2022 vs Bournemouth, 2023 vs Brentford, 2024 vs Southampton). The only players to achieve this in four successive years are Dimitar Berbatov (5 from 2007 to 2011) and Harry Kane (2016 to 2019).
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
The Swede has somewhat struggled for relevance since his return to action from an injury. Having gone off injured in the game against Burnley, Gyokeres was in a good vein of form, but he has been somewhat uncomfortable in front of the goal since.
Big questions are being asked of the Swedish striker over his goalscoring prowess, and he needs to shut his doubters over his lack of output. While Gyokeres does many things that are valuable for the team in many ways, Mikel Arteta would want him to score goals at a rapid rate moving forward, and he could start that against Aston Villa.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
It is difficult to predict the outcome of this clash, and one must not base it on what happened earlier this month between the two teams. Aston Villa are in a rich vein of form, and they are sure to trouble the Gunners’ defence in some ways. The return of Gabriel Magalhaes does pose a problem for Villa, considering they have two key stars missing for this trip.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have been exceptional in terms of creating chances, but scoring them has been a problem. The goals are expected to come sooner rather than later, especially if Mikel Arteta’s men continue to create more. The Gunners are expected to take the three points in what could be an entertaining and tight game at the Emirates.
