Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE
A pivotal clash at the Premier League’s summit takes place today, with table-topping Arsenal hosting high flying Aston Villa. The Gunners come into the match two points clear of second-placed Manchester City but Villa, having won eight straight in the league, would draw level with Mikel Arteta’s men with a victory here.
A brilliant save from David Raya was needed to secure Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday, while Villa - who won the reverse fixture between these two sides less than a month ago - most recently came from behind to defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a second half double from Ollie Watkins. That was no anomaly for Unai Emery’s side, who have pieced together comebacks in all five of their away league victories this season.
Villa are seeking a club record 12th successive victory in all competitions, with the Gunners aiming to maintain their unbeaten home record. However, the hosts are without influential midfielder Declan Rice, who misses out through injury. You can follow all the action from Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa latest news
- GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Watkins knocks in consolation effort
- GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa: Jesus scores moments after coming on
- GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa: Trossard rifles home third
- GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa: Zubimendi slides in second from Odegaard assist
- GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa: Gabriel outmuscles Martinez for opener from Saka corner
- Arsenal team news: Rice confirmed out, Gabriel and Timber return
- Aston Villa team news: Watkins back up top, Sancho and Buendia start
FT: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa
22:13 , Alex DakersThat is that at the Emirates.
A statement victory for the Premier League leaders. Reaction to follow!
Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa
22:12 , Alex Dakers90+7mins: Watkins is booked late on.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa
22:09 , Alex Dakers90+4mins: Donyell Malen muscles through and past Arsenal’s backline, including David Raya, before cutting it back via the post for Watkins, who scores into an open goal.
Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
22:07 , Alex Dakers90+2mins: VILLA HIT THE POST!
Arsenal’s clean sheet somehow remains intact, but only just.
Ollie Watkins heads against the post and then John McGinn hits the rebound straight at David Raya.
Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
22:05 , Alex Dakers90mins: Eight minutes of stoppage time at the Emirates.
Still probably not enough for a Villa comeback...
Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
22:00 , Alex Dakers86mins: Some statement indeed by the Premier League leaders, who go six points clear of Aston Villa now and five clear of Manchester City, who travel to Sunderland on New Year’s Day.
Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
21:58 , Alex Dakers82mins: Villa send on England youth internationals Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba and George Hemmings for their Premier League debuts, replacing Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans.
Defeat conceded by Unai Emery, for the first time in 12 games.
Arsenal take the opportunity of Lamare Bogarde’s booking for a foul on Lewis-Skelly to replace Jurrien Timber with the returning Ben White and Bukayo Saka with Noni Madueke.
Matt Verri reports
21:57 , Alex DakersThis is turning into a serious statement from Arsenal. Running Villa ragged and could have scored six or seven in this half.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
21:53 , Alex Dakers78mins: If it wasn’t over already, it is now.
Gabriel Jesus, a mere minute after coming on, scores his first goal since New Year’s Day.
The Brazilian forward tucks a neat finish into the bottom right corner past a diving Emi Martinez.
He’s booked for celebrating by taking his shirt off, but you can’t blame him too much after having spent so much of 2025 on the side-lines with an ACL injury.
Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa
21:51 , Alex Dakers77mins: Some more Arsenal changes are incoming, with Gabriel among those going off.
The Brazilian centre-back started for the first time in a few months today, and is just being checked by physios on the pitch.
He’s replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres is withdrawn and Gabriel Jesus comes on in his place.
Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa
21:49 , Alex Dakers75mins: Christian Norgaard came on for Mikel Merino - who was probably quite lucky not to be sent off for two bookings a short while ago - in the wake of that third Arsenal goal.
Matt Verri reports
21:46 , Alex DakersThat VAR check took an absolute age. One angle they eventually found seemed to show Hincapie offside in the build-up, but clearly not. Goal given.
That should be that for Arsenal.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa
21:43 , Alex Dakers69mins: Arsenal are three up, with Leandro Trossard the scorer!
The Belgian drills the ball in from the edge of the penalty area to cap off a flurry of crosses and half chances for the Gunners.
This is being checked by VAR for a possible offside offence or two... but it stands. Jurrien Timber gets the assist.
Is that the final nail in the coffin of Aston Villa’s win streak?
Matt Verri reports
21:41 , Alex DakersFirst Timber and now Odegaard miss chances to make it 3-0. Will Arsenal live to regret these?
That leads to another corner that again Villa make a complete mess of defending. Every one at the moment feels like it will be a goal.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
21:41 , Alex Dakers67mins: Villa are dispossessed again and this time Martin Odegaard goes for goal himself again, with a fingertip save by Emi Martinez denying the Arsenal captain’s attempt at finding the bottom left corner.
From the resulting corner, there’s another scare for the visitors but they scramble it clear.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
21:37 , Alex Dakers63mins: Martin Odegaard lets fly from just inside the area, but the ball sails over the crossbar on this occasion.
Matt Verri reports
21:36 , Alex DakersVilla cannot live with Arsenal from set-pieces. It drops for Timber a few yards out and he pokes it over the bar. Martinez is finding it impossible to get off his line and do anything.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
21:35 , Alex Dakers61mins: Buendia and Sancho off, Andres Garcia and Donyell Malen on for Aston Villa.
A moment earlier, another corner - this one delivered from the other side - causes the visitors more problems...
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
21:33 , Alex Dakers59mins: Tielemans played the resulting free-kick short for Morgan Rogers, who goes for a long range rocket of a strike but it’s blocked all the way back into Villa’s half.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
21:33 , Alex Dakers58mins: Unai Emery preparing a few changes now in response to that less than ideal start to the second half.
Mikel Merino, meanwhile, gets away with one after what looked to be a pretty cynical foul.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
21:31 , Alex Dakers52mins: Martin Zubimendi makes it 2-0 to the Gunners!
Martin Odegaard wins the ball off Jadon Sancho and plays a lovely pass through to the middle of the penalty area for the onrushing Spaniard, who slots it in past Emi Martinez to double Arsenal’s lead.
Matt Verri reports
21:30 , Alex DakersGreat finish that from Zubimendi.
Not particularly what he's in the side to do but he popped up as the centre forward and now Arsenal are in control. Can they put the match to bed in a way they've been unable to in recent weeks?
Matt Verri reports
21:25 , Alex DakersBack in the side and back scoring from corners.
Not exactly a thing of beauty but Gabriel has given Arsenal the lead, Martinez left in a heap on the ground.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
21:23 , Alex Dakers48mins: Arsenal have their first corner of the game, and they score from it!
Bukayo Saka whips the ball in and Gabriel sends it home, proving much too strong for Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
It’s checked by VAR, but it stands.
Back underway!
21:20 , Alex Dakers46mins: We resume play in this goalless stalemate in north London.
Will there be a winner today?
Half-time changes
21:19 , Alex DakersAmadou Onana is replaced by Villa captain John McGinn at half-time.
The Belgian midfielder was a bright spark in that first half but did receive treatment at one point, so perhaps it’s a precautionary change by Unai Emery.
Best chance of the half?
21:13 , Alex DakersNo shots on target yet for Villa from their three total attempts, despite that spell of early pressure with some quick runs and balls forward.
Ollie Watkins fired narrowly wide on a couple of occasions and Amadou Onana has made some dangerous charges forward in possession, while Morgan Rogers is always a threat.
Only one of Arsenal’s seven shots has been on target, meanwhile but it was probably the diving header from Viktor Gyokeres that was the Gunners’ best chance of the first half.
Leandro Trossard has also posed a threat on the left, while it was a quieter opening period for Bukayo Saka.
Defences on top so far.
HT: Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
21:04 , Alex DakersAll square at the Emirates as we head in for half-time.
Unai Emery's visiting side started ferociously before the Gunners grew into an increasingly physical game devoid of many clear cut chances so far.
Back shortly!
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
21:04 , Alex Dakers45+3mins: Lucas Digne pings a ball into the Arsenal box which David Raya claims, but Ollie Watkins went down under a challenge by Gabriel.
VAR checks it but confirms there’ll be no penalty.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
21:02 , Alex Dakers45+2mins: Morgan Rogers goes into the referee’s book as well now, for failing to move and allow Jurrien Timber to take a free-kick in a timely fashion.
Matt Verri reports
21:02 , Alex DakersThree minutes added on - could have been five times that. Referee doesn't have a lot of control of this match right now, it's threatening to boil over.
He needs half-time, never mind the players.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
21:01 , Alex Dakers45+1mins: A crucial last ditch touch by William Saliba prevents Ollie Watkins tapping into an open goal after a good ball across from Jadon Sancho.
The offside flag goes up anyway, though, and Mikel Merino is booked for a foul earlier in that move.
Three minutes of added time have been flashed up here at the Emirates.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
21:00 , Alex Dakers43mins: Arsenal have grown into this game a little more in the last 10 minutes or so, and Villa haven’t been charging forward as much.
Will we see a goal in the few minutes remaining before half-time?
The Gunners want a penalty as Emi Martinez and Viktor Gyokeres bump into each other when the Villa goalie comes to claim a loose ball in the box, but it’s a free-kick to the visitors instead.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:59 , Alex Dakers44mins: It’s Mikel Arteta’s turn to receive a talking to by Darren England now, for stepping outside his technical area one too many times.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:56 , Alex Dakers41mins: Amadou Onana and Mikel Merino come together after a challenge by the latter and are both spoken to by referee Darren England.
No cards yet, just another free-kick to the visitors.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:55 , Alex DakersIf the officials have been looking at their watches carefully, we might be here until midnight.
Feels like we've had about ten minutes of stoppages in this first half alone. Not been a great spectacle so far.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:55 , Alex Dakers37mins: Bukayo Saka leaves his leg dangling again, catching Lucas Digne this time. Free-kick to Villa.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:51 , Alex Dakers36mins: A minute later, Trossard pulls the trigger on a well weighted cross which Gyokeres dives to meet but it goes slightly high and wide of the top left corner from the edge of the six-yard box.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:50 , Alex Dakers35mins: Up the other end, Gyokeres cuts inside onto his right foot and unleashes from within the penalty area, but the Arsenal striker’s effort is blocked by one of the many Villa bodies between him and the goal.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:48 , Alex Dakers33mins: Lucas Digne’s inswinger is cleared at the near post by Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:47 , Alex Dakers32mins: Now it’s Arsenal’s turn for a free-kick.
The delivery from Odegaard comes in from deep, but Emi Martinez rushes out to claim it.
The Villa keeper boots it LONG to the right wing for Jadon Sancho, who ends up winning his side a corner.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:46 , Alex Dakers30mins: Arsenal work the ball around Villa’s penalty area dangerously, but the referee’s whistle goes with Saka penalised for a careless challenge on Rogers.
Onana is back on.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:44 , Alex Dakers29mins: Onana jogs off having received treatment on the pitch, but it looks like he’ll be fine to continue.
We play on!
Matt Verri reports
20:42 , Alex DakersOnana has gone down and so Arteta calls every Arsenal player over for a team talk.
All very slow for the Gunners in the final third, haven't caused Villa any real problems.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:41 , Alex Dakers25mins: Bukayo Saka, who hasn’t seen much of the ball so far, is allowed far too much space on Arsenal’s right wing but nothing comes of the attack as Lucas Digne recovers.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:39 , Alex Dakers23mins: Ollie Watkins is penalised for a foul on Gabriel.
A few moments ago, Trossard had a shot from distance but Martinez claimed it calmly.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:36 , Alex Dakers20mins: Arsenal are inside Villa’s penalty area now and see a couple of chances blocked in quick succession before the visitors manage to scramble the ball clear, whacking it off Leandro Trossard’s shoulder in the process.
The Gunners winger protests, but it’s a free-kick with Emi Martinez to take.
Matt Verri reports
20:34 , Alex DakersAlready there's a nervousness around the stadium.
Arsenal have been fairly sloppy on the ball and they're really missing Rice in midfield. Villa have already had three or four dangerous moments on the counter where they have just ran through the middle of the pitch.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:33 , Alex Dakers18mins: Villa are being unusually direct today, and their latest attack ends with Watkins working his way into the left side of the penalty area but firing his curling effort across goal wide of the far post.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:31 , Alex Dakers16mins: Amadou Onana has made a few galloping runs forward with the ball from central midfield in these opening minutes, but doesn’t get as near the penalty area with his latest one.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:30 , Alex Dakers15mins: Another great pass from Tielemans, a long distance one this time, finds Morgan Rogers but the Villa attacker is closed down quickly.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:28 , Alex Dakers13mins: CLOSE!
Villa intercept a slack pass out from the back by Arsenal and play Ollie Watkins through on goal, but the England striker shoots narrowly wide to the left this time.
Matt Verri reports
20:27 , Alex DakersThat's a 10/10 dive from Onana. Fact he was even too embarrassed to appeal for a penalty himself probably saved him from a booking.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:27 , Alex Dakers12mins: In a rare foray forward for Villa, Amadou Onana darts towards the penalty area and cuts inside William Saliba.
He goes down in the box but there wasn’t really anything in that. We play on with a Villa corner instead, but it comes to nothing.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:26 , Alex Dakers11mins: A throw-in high on the left from Lucas Digne is followed by a one-two with Tielemans, but Villa are then forced to work the ball all the way back to Emi Martinez.
Good pressure being applied from Arsenal.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:25 , Alex Dakers9mins: A minute later, Gyokeres gives away a free-kick for a foul on Ezri Konsa - who loses his boot - and then Martin Odegaard does the same for a challenge on Youri Tielemans.
Matt Verri reports
20:23 , Alex DakersFirst chance for Gyokeres and he should do a lot better. Header loops over.
Arsenal fans don't have much patience with Emi Martinez at the best of times but the Villa goalkeeper is already getting plenty of attention from them for how long he's taking over goal-kicks.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:22 , Alex Dakers7mins: A ball into the box from Piero Hincapie - playing at left-back today, in Riccardo Calafiori’s absence - finds the head of Viktor Gyokeres, but the Arsenal striker nods it over the crossbar under little pressure.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:20 , Alex Dakers5mins: Arsenal definitely on the front foot so far, pressing Villa as soon as the visitors receive the ball and try to get out of their own half.
No chances yet, though.
Matt Verri reports
20:19 , Alex DakersOnly played a few minutes but Arsenal have already gone for a big crossfield switch a couple of times.
Saka and Trossard trying to stretch the Villa defence out wide.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
20:18 , Alex Dakers4mins: A bit of a cagey start it is, then!
KICK-OFF!
20:15 , Alex Dakers1min: Away we go at the Emirates for a huge clash at the top of the Premier League, with Arsenal taking on Aston Villa.
Teams out on the pitch
20:13 , Alex DakersBoth sets of players are out on the Emirates pitch now, welcomed out of the dugout by that light show Matt mentioned a moment ago.
Ready, fans? We are!
Photo time for Keown and Vieira
20:11 , Alex DakersOn the side of the Emirates pitch, meanwhile, Arsenal legends Martin Keown and Patrick Vieira have been posing for pictures.
Matt Verri reports
20:09 , Alex DakersLight show ahead of kick-off here - it must be a big match.
Could do with a few more pyrotechnics too, it's absolutely freezing...
Underway shortly
20:05 , Alex DakersWarm-ups at the Emirates have wrapped up, and we’ll be underway about 10 minutes from now!
Rogers aiming to continue fine form
20:04 , Alex DakersMorgan Rogers blanked last time out, as Ollie Watkins stole the show in the win over Chelsea, but the in-form Aston Villa midfielder had scored six goals in the six games prior to that.
He’ll be aiming to cause plenty of problems for Arsenal’s stern backline tonight as he continues making a strong case for a starting spot in England’s World Cup squad next summer.
Merino filling in for Rice
19:55 , Alex DakersMikel Merino has done well when he’s had to step in as a makeshift striker for Arsenal, including earlier this season when Viktor Gyokeres was injured.
How will he get on back in his more usual midfield position, as Declan Rice’s replacement?
Countdown to kick-off
19:53 , Alex DakersJust over 20 minutes until kick-off at the Emirates.
Will it be a cagey affair, or a high-octane battle?
We’ll soon find out!
Matt Verri reports
19:47 , Alex DakersWith matches against Bournemouth and Liverpool coming up very quickly, Arsenal will be desperately hoping that swelling on Declan Rice’s knee settles.
Fast.
'Massive swell up': Why Rice misses out for Arsenal against Aston Villa
19:46 , Alex DakersWe’ve now heard some more from Mikel Arteta himself on Rice’s absence today.
"Declan got a big kick in his knee during the match [against Brighton on Satuday], at the start of the match actually, and by the time he finished the match he had a massive swell up,” the Arsenal boss said.
“The game was too early for him to consider."
Asked whether it was a short-term injury, Arteta replied: "I think so.
“I hope that when the swelling comes out he can function [and] he will be fine. We miss Riccy [Calafiori] as well today."
Matt Verri's match preview
19:39 , Alex DakersHere’s the latest from our own Matt Verri, reporting live from the Emirates Stadium.
Matt discusses the team news - including the apparent knee injury that has kept Declan Rice out of the Arsenal XI - as well as Unai Emery’s chance to draw level with his former club:
🗣️ "Some good, some bad news" for Arsenal tonight.@MattVerri details the latest on Declan Rice missing out, while Gabriel and Jurrien Timber return to the Gunners' XI against Aston Villa.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 30, 2025
Full preview ⬇️
LIVE: https://t.co/VgGmRleySu#ARSAVL pic.twitter.com/KLvV8iOrsV
Sancho in for Villa
19:32 , Alex DakersA show of faith from Unai Emery in Jadon Sancho, who makes his first Premier League start of the campaign for Aston Villa following a promising cameo from the bench versus Chelsea last time out.
In the starting XI ✊ pic.twitter.com/1XbEABtLOI
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 30, 2025
Matt Verri reports
19:26 , Alex DakersGabriel being fit to start is a massive boost for Arsenal. With Havertz and White back in the squad, that is an incredibly strong bench for the Gunners.
Jesus, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli and Havertz are a pretty decent quintet of attacking options to fall back on if required.
Aston Villa confirmed team news in full
19:07 , Alex DakersAston Villa XI: Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Subs: Bizot, Wright, Maatsen, Garcia, Routh, Hemmings, McGinn, Malen, Jimoh-Aloba
Arsenal confirmed team news in full
19:05 , Alex DakersArsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly
Aston Villa starting line-up: Watkins returns
19:02 , Alex DakersYour Villa XI tonight 🫡#ARSAVL pic.twitter.com/BEE2P8XnsW
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 30, 2025
Arsenal starting line-up: Rice out, Gabriel and Timber return
19:01 , Alex DakersAs expected!
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 30, 2025
🧱 Gabriel partners Saliba
🫡 Timber in at right-back
©️ Odegaard pulling the strings
Let’s end the year on a high, Gunners 👊
🤝 Presented by @deel
Rice at the Emirates - but in different kit
18:58 , Alex DakersDeclan Rice, who is rumoured to be ruled out through injury today, has showed up at the Emirates with his Arsenal teammates.
However, the midfielder has been pictures in slightly different kit to fit-again centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes and other members of the squad.
A further hint that he won’t play a part today?
We’ll have confirmed team news for you in a few moments!
Arteta and Arsenal unbeaten at home in 2025/26
18:55 , Alex DakersHowever, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta - pictured below arriving for today’s match a short time ago - is yet to oversee a defeat at the Emirates this season.
His Gunners have won eight of their nine Premier League home games so far in 2025/26.
The only other team who are yet to lose at home in England’s top flight this season is Sunderland (W5, D4).
Villa the comeback kings
18:50 , Alex DakersAston Villa have come from behind in all five of their away league victories this season, including a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge last time out.
Indeed, under Unai Emery, Villa have earned a league-high 54 points from losing positions across the past three seasons, including 18 in 2025-26.
That’s the most in the current campaign by a margin of six!
Matt Verri reports
18:40 , Alex DakersMartin Odegaard has some nice words for Morgan Rogers in his captain's notes.
The Arsenal skipper says: "Morgan has been really good this season, but also last season I thought he did well too. He's a top player who we will have to be careful of tonight."
With Declan Rice expected to be missing for Arsenal, it will be even more difficult to keep Rogers quiet than normal.
Aston Villa predicted line-up: Watkins back in, how to replace Cash and Kamara?
18:35 , Alex DakersAs for Villa, how Emery covers the suspended Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara may depend on the availability of Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings.
Torres has been side-lined with a calf injury this month while Mings has been out with a hamstring issue, and if both are deemed unfit to start against Arsenal today then Victor Lindelof will likely have to step into the middle of the backline alongside Ezri Konsa.
That would mean one of the little-utilised Andres Garcia or utility man Lamare Bogarde filling in at right-back for Cash.
It should be a simpler tweak in midfield, where Amadou Onana can step in for Kamara, while any of Malen, Emi Buendia - who scored the winner in the reverse fixture a month ago - or Jadon Sancho - who impressed off the bench against Chelsea - could feasibly start alongside the nailed-on trio of John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans.
Ollie Watkins will almost certainly resume centre forward duties from Donyell Malen after his brace last time out, and there’s a chance Lucas Digne ends Ian Maatsen's five-match run of starts at left-back due to the quick turnaround time from Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge.
Predicted Aston Villa XI (4-4-1-1): Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Sancho, McGinn, Onana, Rogers; Tielemans; Watkins
Injured: Barkley
Doubts: Elliott, Mings, Torres
Suspended: Cash, Kamara
Unavailable: Guessand (AFCON)
Arsenal predicted line-up: A change up top, plus who covers Rice?
18:30 , Alex DakersWe’ll be getting confirmed team news in the next half hour or so, but for now let’s make some line-up predictions!
When it comes to the hosts, Gabriel could make his first Arsenal start in nearly two months having been introduced as a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Brighton.
The Brazilian’s return to fitness is a major boost for Mikel Arteta, who will hope to have Jurrien Timber back after he missed the Brighton game but is unlikely to have Riccardo Calafiori at his disposal.
If Declan Rice does indeed miss out with a knee injury, as reports in The Athletic suggest he might, he could be replaced in the middle of the park by Eberechi Eze or Mikel Merino, depending on the approach Arteta opts for against this in-form opponent.
And should Arteta opt to rotate otherwise, those changes are likely to come in attack where Gabriel Jesus continues to look bright when given minutes; the fit-again striker could come in for Viktor Gyokeres, who once again offered little against the Seagulls.
There could also be a start for Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Eze, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Injured: White, Mosquera, Dowman
Doubts: Timber, Calafiori, Havertz
Arsenal vs Aston Villa match odds
18:25 , Alex DakersArsenal to win: 4/9
Aston Villa to win: 6/1
Draw: 18/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
18:20 , Alex DakersAs mentioned, Arsenal have won just one of their last five games against Aston Villa, away from home at the start of last season.
This exact fixture at the Emirates last season ended in a 2-2 draw,and in the campaign prior to that was won 2-0 by Villa, who did that double over the Gunners in 2023/24.
Could Unai Emery achieve that again this year versus his former club?
Arsenal wins: 88
Aston Villa wins: 72
Draws: 46
Arsenal vs Aston Villa prediction
18:15 , Alex DakersThis promises to be a fascinating game of football.
Arsenal face their toughest test in weeks and have made hard work of poor sides of late. Aston Villa, meanwhile, were sluggish from the start against Chelsea before really coming into their own in the second half.
The momentum is with Villa, and they have a fine recent record against Arsenal - losing just one of their last five, and winning the most recent meeting between the two sides - but the Gunners can also beat anyone on their day.
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
Aston Villa early team news: Kamara and Cash suspended, Watkins to start?
18:05 , Alex DakersWith his brace off the bench at Stamford Bridge last weekend, Ollie Watkins has surely done more than enough to start for Aston Villa at the Emirates, replacing the relatively ineffectual Donyell Malen up front.
Some eyebrows were raised when Amadou Onana did not start against Chelsea, but he should do against Arsenal - particularly with Boubacar Kamara suspended.
Matty Cash also picked up a fifth yellow card so will miss the game as well.
Arsenal early team news: Rice reportedly out, Gabriel back?
18:00 , Alex DakersLast time out, Arsenal were able to welcome Gabriel back to their matchday squad for the first time in six weeks, but were without fellow defender Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, as Mikel Arteta’s injury woes in defence remain a concern.
In attack, Viktor Gyokeres continues to struggle and could again come out against stronger opposition. Gabriel Martinelli will be pushing to start after a lively cameo against Brighton.
Martin Odegaard scored his first Emirates goal since September to get his side going, and should keep his place ahead of the inconsistent Eberechi Eze.
However, both men could start if reports from The Athletic today that Declan Rice is out with a knee injury are true.
Where to watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa
17:55 , Alex DakersYou can follow all of the matchday action right here in Standard Sport’s live blog, featuring expert analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.
Alternatively, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports in the UK, with coverage starting on Sky Sports Premier League at 6.30pm.
Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Date, kick-off time and venue
17:50 , Alex DakersArsenal vs Aston Villa is scheduled for an 8.15pm GMT kick-off today, December 30.
The match will take place at the Gunners’ home ground, Emirates Stadium, in north London.
Follow Arsena vs Aston Villa LIVE
17:46 , Alex DakersHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Arsenal vs Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Kick-off is fast approaching in what promises to be a fascinating clash between two in-form sides at the summit of England’s top-flight.
Stick with us as we bring you everything you need to know about today’s match, plus play-by-play updates once the action is underway, all accompanied by expert analysis from our very own Matt Verri at the ground.
