Arsenal have won five of their last seven meetings with Aston Villa, including a 2-0 victory at Villa Park in August, although the Villans are targeting back-to-back away wins over the Gunners for the first time in 32 years.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Preview
After getting back to winning ways on Wednesday, can Arsenal now start to build some serious momentum? In mid-week, the Gunners fought back from a goal down to defeat fierce rivals Spurs in the North London derby, scoring twice in quick succession on the cusp of the interval; Gabriel's deflected header restoring parity, before Leandro Trossard lashed home, what proved to be, the match-winner soon after.
Before this, Mikel Arteta's team had suffered back-to-back home defeats, beaten by Newcastle in the EFL Cup and then ten-man Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup, which was a massive shock to the system, considering they had not been beaten at the Emirates since Villa's infamous visit last April. Thus, their hopes of winning either domestic cup competition are practically over, but the Premier League title race is very much on, with Arsenal unbeaten in 11 league games, closing to gap to leaders Liverpool down to four points. So, can the Gunners claim a statement victory on Saturday evening over a side that beat them home and away last season?
As for Aston Villa, they also picked up three points on Wednesday, with Ollie Watkins' goal shortly after half time enough to overcome Everton at Goodison. Before this, Unai Emery's team had actually suffered five successive Premier League defeats on the road, the club's worst streak since being relegated nine years ago, albeit their imperious home form means they're still seventh, just two points below the final potential Champions League spot. Having previously beaten Leicester and then West Ham in the FA Cup, the Claret and Blue Army are seeking to start a calendar year win four wins on the spin for the first time since 1988 and, should they achieve that, Arsenal's title dreams would more or less go up in flames.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 204.
- Arsenal Wins: 88. Draws: 45. Aston Villa Wins: 71.
Arsenal Team News
Due to lack of options, if nothing else, Mikel Arteta is going to have to deploy a similar starting lineup once again. In attack, with Ethan Nwaneri not yet fit and both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus out long-term, Raheem Sterling was the surprise starter against Spurs, earning mixed reviews, but Gabriel Martinelli could come back in this time. Meantime, at the back, Benjamin White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are sidelined, Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt while both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney could leave the club this month. In the meanwhile, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly has established himself as the first-choice left-back, becoming a mainstream fans' favourite during Wednesday's derby win.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Partey, Ødegaard; Martinelli, Trossard, Havertz.
Arsenal Player to Watch vs Aston Villa
Leandro Trossard slotted home his fifth goal of the season in mid-week, the first of which came during the 2-0 victory at Villa Park in August, and in the absence of Saka and Jesus, the Gunners really need their Belgian to come to the fore.
Aston Villa Team News
In the absence of Pau Torres an Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings is set to keep his place in defence while, in midfield, neither John McGinn nor Ross Barkley are fit either, making Amadou Onana's return after a spell on the sidelines timely. Jhon Durán returned on Wednesday, having served his three-match ban, but remained an unused substitute at Goodison, so will Unai Emery once again give Ollie Watkins the nod, considering he's scored five in nine Premier League games against Arsenal? Meanwhile, having joined from Borussia Dortmund for £20 million, Donyell Malen could make his Villa debut; he previously spent two years in Arsenal's academy.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Arsenal: (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers; Watkins.
Aston Villa Player to Watch vs Arsenal
Emi Martínez is always ultra-motivated when facing Arsenal, winning four of his nine meetings with the Gunners since being sold in 2020, so will he be Villa's hero in North London?
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction
We are backing Arsenal for victory...just. Should the Gunners prevail, it would be a statement victory in the title race but, given Villa's mixed away form, we just give Arteta's team the edge: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa Premier League game on TV channel?
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League & Ultra HD.
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa Premier League game on live streaming?
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network, Telemundo & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Arsenal vs Aston Villa in the Premier League?
Arsenal vs Aston Villa takes place on Saturday 18 January 2025, with kick off at 17:30 (GMT), 12:30 (EDT) & 9:30 (PST).