Arsenal will know they must improve if they are to avoid becoming Aston Villa’s latest Premier League victim.
Villa came from behind at Chelsea on Saturday to record their 11th consecutive win in all competitions and open up a 10-point gap on themselves and the fourth-placed Blues.
Arsenal continue to lead the way at the top of the Premier League table, but have been far from convincing as they try to hold off the growing threat of Villa and Manchester City.
It was Villa who won the reverse fixture just a few weeks ago, and completing a double over Arsenal would be a huge statement of intent.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Arsenal vs Aston Villa is scheduled for an 8.15pm GMT kick-off on Tuesday, December 29, 2025.
The match will take place at Emirates Stadium, in north London.
Where to watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports, with coverage starting on Sky Sports Premier League at 6.30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa team news
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 continue to 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.
Ollie Watkins has surely done more than enough to start for Aston Villa at the Emirates, replacing the ineffectual Donyell Malen. Some eyebrows were raised when Amadou Onana did not start against Chelsea, they will be rectified against Arsenal with Boubacar Kamara suspended. Matty Cash also picked up a fifth yellow card so will miss the game.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa prediction
This will be fascinating. Arsenal face their toughest test in weeks, and have made hard work of poor sides of late. Aston Villa, meanwhile, were slugging 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 - but Arsenal can beat anyone on their day.
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Arsenal wins: 88
Aston Villa wins: 72
Draws: 46
Arsenal vs Aston Villa match odds
Arsenal to win: 4/9
Aston Villa to win: 11/2
Draw: 13/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
