Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Preview, Team News, Possible Lineups and Score Prediction

Premier League title contenders Arsenal and an in-form Aston Villa are set to clash for the second time in just four weeks, with three crucial points on the line at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Less than a month after Villa secured a narrow victory in Birmingham, the two sides meet again. The Gunners remain at the top of the table, but their visitors are riding an extraordinary wave of success that has propelled them into the title conversation.

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Arsenal reclaimed their spot at the Premier League summit on Saturday, grinding out a tough 2-1 home victory against Brighton and Hove Albion. After briefly being overtaken by Manchester City, Mikel Arteta's side responded immediately to their rivals' win over Nottingham Forest.

A fierce strike from captain Martin Odegaard and another fortunate own goal gave the Gunners the advantage. Although Brighton pulled a goal back to ensure a tense finish in North London, Arsenal held on for their fifth consecutive league win since their last-gasp defeat at Villa Park.

The league leaders have now won nine of their last 10 Premier League home fixtures, including their last six in a row—their best run of form at the Emirates since 2022. Currently two points clear of their nearest challengers and three ahead of Villa, a victory on Tuesday would guarantee they end 2025 in first place.

However, recent history favours the visitors. Including their latest win, Arsenal have lost three of their last five encounters with Villa, managing to pick up just four points. On the other hand, the Gunners have won their final league game of the year in four of the last five seasons, while Villa's record in year-end fixtures is less impressive, with only two wins in their last 13.

Despite this, Unai Emery's side will travel south with confidence, having taken four points from their last two visits to the Emirates—a 2-0 win in April 2024 and a 2-2 draw at the start of this year. Emery's men have become comeback specialists, a trait highlighted by Emiliano Buendia's late winner against Arsenal and several other turnarounds this season.

Most recently, substitute Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score twice at Stamford Bridge, securing a 2-1 victory over Chelsea after a lackluster first half prompted a decisive triple substitution from Emery. That result means Villa have now salvaged an incredible 18 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.

Their eight consecutive top-flight wins mark their best run since 1910, and an 11-game winning streak across all competitions equals a club record set in 1897 and 1914. It's a remarkable revival for a team that was 18th and winless after five matches. Since then, the Villans have won more games (12) and earned more points (36) than any other side in the league.

With a congested festive fixture list, Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his squad, especially after Declan Rice was forced to play at right-back against Brighton. Arsenal are already without Jurrien Timber, and their defensive woes were compounded when Riccardo Calafiori was injured in the warm-up, joining Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White on the sidelines.

The return of influential centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes was a welcome boost, though it is unclear if the Brazilian is ready to start. Eberechi Eze will be pushing for a place in the starting lineup, having been involved in five goals in his last four home games against Villa. The England international has also scored in his team's final league game in each of the last three years.

For Aston Villa, match-winner Ollie Watkins is a strong candidate to start. The former Arsenal transfer target has scored four times in five Premier League appearances at the Emirates and will likely be preferred over ex-Gunner Donyell Malen.

Unai Emery will be forced into two changes, as Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are suspended after picking up bookings at Stamford Bridge. Amadou Onana is expected to replace Kamara in midfield, while Lamare Bogarde could deputise for Cash at right-back.

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

Both Arsenal and Aston Villa have demonstrated remarkable resilience recently, securing victories in tight matches where others might have faltered. This sets the stage for what could be a fiercely contested battle in North London.