Arsenal v Aston Villa preview
Premier League title contenders Arsenal and Aston Villa meet for the second time in four weeks when they face off at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Villa prevailed in Birmingham less than a month ago, but the Gunners enter this rematch still holding top spot in the table, while their visitors arrive on the back of a remarkable winning run, which stretches to 12 games.
The Gunners have now won nine of their last 10 Premier League home matches, including each of the last six, marking their strongest run at the Emirates since 2022.
Sitting two points clear at the summit and three ahead of Aston Villa, Arsenal can guarantee top spot heading into the New Year by extending that home sequence on Tuesday.
However, Villa have enjoyed recent success in this fixture, winning three of the last five league meetings between the sides, with Arsenal collecting just four points during that period.
Despite that, the hosts have won their final league match of the calendar year in four of the last five seasons, while Aston Villa’s record in year-ending fixtures is less encouraging, with only two wins from their last 13.
Unai Emery’s side have developed a reputation for second-half recoveries, and that trend continued at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, where Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score twice in a 2-1 win over Chelsea.
Villa have now recovered 18 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, the most of any side, and their eight-game winning streak in the league represents their longest top-flight run since 1910.
Arsenal v Aston Villa team news
Arteta may rotate his side amid a congested festive schedule, particularly after Declan Rice was deployed at right-back against Brighton.
Arsenal remain without Jurrien Timber, while Riccardo Calafiori was injured in the warm-up at the weekend. Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are also sidelined.
Gabriel Magalhaes returned to action recently, but his readiness to start remains uncertain.
Eberechi Eze is pushing for a starting role after recording five goal involvements in four Premier League home games against Aston Villa, and he has scored in Arsenal’s final league fixture in each of the last three calendar years.
For the visitors, Emery must make two enforced changes, with Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara both suspended after picking up bookings against Chelsea.
Amadou Onana is expected to replace Kamara in midfield, while Lamare Bogarde could deputise at right-back.
Aston Villa remain without Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres and Ross Barkley, while Evann Guessand is away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Expected line-ups for Arsenal v Aston Villa
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Aston Villa: Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins
How to watch Arsenal v Aston Villa: TV channel, online stream
Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:15 GMT (15:15 ET / 12:15 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
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Streaming is available on a vast variety of devices via the Sky GO app.
Arsenal v Aston Villa stats
• Arsenal have won nine of their last 10 Premier League home matches
• Arsenal have won six consecutive league games at the Emirates
• Arsenal have won four of their last five year-ending league fixtures
• Aston Villa have won eight straight Premier League matches
• Aston Villa are on an 11-game winning run in all competitions
• Villa have recovered 18 points from losing positions this season, more than any other side
• Aston Villa have taken four points from their last two league visits to the Emirates
• Arsenal have lost three of their last five league meetings with Villa
Prediction
Arsenal
1
–
1
Aston Villa
Both sides have shown resilience in recent weeks, often finding ways to recover from difficult situations, and another closely fought contest looks likely in North London.
While Aston Villa’s winning run may come to an end, Arsenal’s strong home form should ensure the points are shared, a result that would benefit Manchester City in the title race.
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