Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Team News

Arsenal are set to face one of the biggest tests in their quest for the elusive English Premier League title when they visit a high-flying Aston Villa side on Saturday, December 9. 

The Gunners currently occupy first position on the log with 36 points, two more than the 2019/2020 champions Liverpool FC and a win against the impressive Villa will draw them closer towards their ambitions of winning the league for the first time since 04/05 season.

The Mikel Arteta coached side go into the match on the back of a hard fought 4-3 win over a stubborn Luton Town side earlier this week with record signing Declan Rice making the difference in that epic clash following his last-minute winner that helped the Gunners to maintain their momentum.

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Meanwhile, Unai Emery has turned Villa into one of the exciting clubs to watch in the competitive league this season.

In their last league match, Villa stunned defending champions Manchester City 1-0, a result which saw them leapfrog the Cityzens as they jumped to third on 32 points. 

Here is everything you need to know about the mouth-watering clash.

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What time does Aston Villa vs Arsenal start?

The Aston Villa vs Arsenal match is expected to start at 8:30pm Kenyan time on Saturday at Villa Park.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal Team News

The hosts will be without the services of Argentine international Emiliano Bundia, Bertrand Traore and Tyrone Mings due to injury related reasons.

It is also unclear whether Emery will put Leon Bailey in the starting eleven after the hectic work he did during the City clash. However, should the Spanish decide to give the Jamaican international some more minutes to rest, he has a ready replacement in former Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.

On the other hand, the Gunners will be without a number of key players with Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu being the latest to join the treatment table. 

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Other Arsenal stars who will not be available for selection include Thomas Partey (thigh), Emile Smith Rowe (knee), Jurrien Timber (knee) and Fabio Viera (groin).

Arteta will also have to watch the match from a distance having picked up his third yellow card of the season during the Luton game. 

Possible Starting Lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez, Digne, Pau, Carlos, Konsa, McGinn, Luiz, Kamara, Diaby, Tielemans, Watkins

Arsenal: Raya; Zinchenko, Saliba, Gabriel, White, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Martinelli, Saka, Jesus

Aston Villa vs Arsenal head-to-head

Arsenal and Villa have met 18 times since 2012 with the North London-based side winning 12 matches. Villa won four of those matches.

In addition, the Gunners have won four of the recent five meetings between the two clubs in a consecutive fashion.

Villa’s last win against Arsenal was in February, 2021 with Ollie Watkins scoring the only goal within just two minutes from the start. 

In the last meeting between the two heavyweights, Jorginho scored a late winner to help Arsenal win the breathtaking match 4 – 2.

Aston Villa: 12

Draws: 2

Arsenal: 4

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Aston Villa vs Arsenal Current Form

Aston Villa: WWWDL

Arsenal: WWWWW

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Aston Villa vs Arsenal Prediction

Arsenal continue to approach each game this season with different tactics, something which may help them stun Villa and return to London with three vital points.

However, the win may not come easy because the hosts have become a completely different animal since Emery took over the managerial position in October 2022. Therefore, fans should expect a highly entertaining game with a number of goals.

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