Arsenal vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a classic top-of-the-table clash in the Premier League as league leaders Arsenal take on an Aston Villa side that have enjoyed an 11-match winning streak.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock
Arsenal preview: Gunning at the top
Arsenal come into this one on the back of a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium the other day, which has kept them at the top but is a continuation of unconvincing performances across all competitions.
It came a few days after a penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. In the Premier League, they had only just scraped past Brighton, as well as Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Aston Villa preview: The Villans of the title race
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa managed to keep themselves very much involved in the Premier League title race with an impressive come from behind 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of an Ollie Watkins brace in the second-half.
The Villans have now enjoyed 11 successive victories across all competitions and they have now managed 17 wins in their last 19 games in all competitions since a very slow start to the campaign.
Arsenal team news: Rice likely to be out
It has been reported that Declan Rice is 'likely' to miss out of their crucial clash with Aston Villa but the Gunners are hopeful on the fitness of Jurrien Timber, while Riccardi Calafiori is a major doubt.
Cristhian Mosquera also remains sidelined in defence alongside Ben White but Gabriel did make his return off the bench against Brighton and, given the size of the game, could start here.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Eze
Unavailable: Mosquera (Injured), White (Injured), Dowman (Injured), Havertz (Injured)
Questionable: Timber (Fitness), Calafiori (Fitness), Rice (Injured)
Aston Villa team news: Cash & Kamara suspended
Aston Villa are dealing with key issues for the trip to the Emirates Stadium as yellow cards against Chelsea for both Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara mean the pair are missing through suspension for this one.
The Villans remain without Evann Guessand, who is with the Ivory Coast at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, while defensive duo Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings are both sidelined, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Garcia, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Unavailable: Mings (Injured), Torres (Injured), Cash (Suspended), Kamara (Suspended), Barkley (Injured), Guessand (International duty)
Questionable:
Arsenal vs Aston Villa prediction
Arsenal have lacked real fluency or competence at both ends of the pitch. They have been unable to be efficient in the final third, while also being often susceptible at the back. They now face a Villa side that are perhaps the most efficient and effective team in the league in terms of how much they actually dictate the game but they still manage to consistently soak up enough pressure and punish the teams going the other way. Arsenal have to remain favourites with a defeat surely coming for the Villans but both teams scoring may well also be a good bet, too.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa tip: Arsenal to win & both teams to score
