Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE!
Arsenal’s healthy lead in the Premier League title race has been suddenly cut down to just two points after a disastrous day. The Gunners could have gone - temporarily - eight clear with a victory over in-form Aston Villa in a high-profile third vs first lunchtime clash to kick off the top-flight weekend, but were edged out by Unai Emery’s side 2-1 thanks to a dramatic last-gasp goal from substitute Emi Buendia that decided a pulsating showdown.
Arsenal had fallen behind late in an eventful first half that saw Eberechi Eze’s early effort ruled out for offside before Matty Cash caught the same player napping at the back post to blast through the legs of David Raya, but one of two half-time changes from Mikel Arteta quickly paid off as the returning Leandro Trossard guided in Bukayo Saka’s low delivery from close range to equalise just seven minutes after coming on.
There were chances galore at both ends during an absorbing second period, but Villa ultimately triumphed thanks to Buendia. A ninth win in 10 league games saw them move up to second and within three points of Arsenal as they stated their own title credentials, though they have since dropped back to third after Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0 later in the day to move within two of Arsenal.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal highlights
- GOAL! Buendia slams in last-gasp winner
- GOAL! Trossard equalises quickly after coming on
- Arteta sends on Gyokeres and Trossard for second half
- GOAL! Cash catches out Eze to score opener
- NO GOAL! Eze denied by offside flag
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
14:27 , George FloodFull-time
Wow, wow, wow.
Just Arsenal’s second defeat in 22 matches across all competitions so far this season and a first since being edged out narrowly by Liverpool at Anfield on August 31.
They miss the chance to extend their lead at the Premier League summit, with Villa jumping up into second and only three points behind the leaders after a sixth consecutive top-flight win and seventh in a row across all competitions.
They have won nine of their last 10. Genuine title contenders? That will have felt very sweet for Emery against the club that sacked him.
Manchester City will take back second spot and cut the gap to Arsenal to only two points if they win at home to sixth-place surprise package Sunderland this afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal | Emi Buendia 95'
14:24 , George Flood95 mins: WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT!
Arsenal with some serious last-ditch defending inside the box before Buendia thunders in the winner at the Holte End with what will surely be the last kick of the game.
Incredible noise at Villa Park.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:23 , George Flood93 mins: Rice takes down a floated pass out left and delivers a low cross that evades Gyokeres before being slammed into the side netting by Madueke.
That might be it.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:22 , George Flood91 mins: Late chance for Arsenal but it’s straight at Martinez from White.
Martin Keown gives Odegaard man of the match on TNT Sports.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:19 , George Flood88 mins: You haven’t been able to take your eyes off this absorbing, frantic game for a single second.
One of the most exhausting 1-1 draws I can remember, if indeed it ends that way.
Sounds like we will get four minutes of added time.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:16 , George Flood85 mins: Arsenal earn a late corner that Rice whips straight onto the roof of the net. Did Martinez touch that?
Lewis-Skelly and Martinelli are replacing Calafiori and, surprisingly, Trossard now.
Has he picked up another knock or is Arteta just managing his minutes after he was brought on far earlier than planned?
Buendia and Lindelof replace Cash and Torres for Villa.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:13 , George FloodHere is the goal that brought Arsenal level early in the second half at Villa Park...
Leandro Trossard equalises for Arsenal 🙌
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 6, 2025
It's game on at Villa Park!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/7a7bRlWA65
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:12 , George Flood80 mins: Raya is beaten inside the last 10 minutes as Timber almost puts Maatsen’s cross through his own net, but Arsenal somehow survive.
How is this still 1-1?!
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:09 , George Flood78 mins: Malen has his head in his hands after firing a low effort just wide with Raya at full stretch.
Arteta is going to take off Saka here. He doesn’t seem injured and has been one of Arsenal’s best players today.
It must be the yellow card, Villa fans weren’t happy with his challenge on Martinez a few moments ago. Madueke is on.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:06 , George Flood75 mins: Emery looks to his bench again for a double change.
Sancho and Bogarde replace McGinn and Onana.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:05 , George Flood74 mins: Calafiori is quickly joined in the book by Saka for bringing down Maatsen and arguing with the referee.
By the way, that was Calafiori’s fifth booking of the season. He will be suspended for the visit of Wolves next weekend.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:03 , George Flood72 mins: Calafiori has received the first yellow card of the afternoon from referee Peter Bankes for taking down Villa captain McGinn.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:00 , George Flood70 mins: After the corner, Saka’s low drive is crucially blocked by Kamara.
The offside flag is now raised against Timber.
Vital defending from Konsa to snuff out the danger from Gyokeres.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
14:00 , George Flood69 mins: Odegaard has certainly needed no second invitation to shoot today and his superb curling effort is now tipped over by the fingertips of Martinez at full stretch.
A spectacular save from the former Arsenal ‘keeper.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:58 , George Flood67 mins: Rice volleys into row z, with Martinelli now sent to warm up down the touchline for Arsenal.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:57 , George Flood66 mins: The offside flag is raised against Gyokeres after a cute through pass from Odegaard, who is now swarmed by claret and blue shirts as he somehow finds the space for a shot.
Held by Martinez.
Malen has now replaced Watkins for Villa.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:54 , George Flood64 mins: Engrossing, end-to-end fare again at Villa Park, where the noise levels have cranked back up.
Raya with another solid low save from Watkins.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:53 , George Flood62 mins: Kamara is gifted a golden chance inside the Arsenal box following Calafiori’s poor pass for Odegaard, but he dithers for an age and it’s lost!
Hincapie did just enough.
Cash with a crucial defensive header at the other end to deny Trossard.
Malen will be on for Watkins soon for Villa.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:51 , George Flood60 mins: High and wide from Maatsen as Arsenal remain firmly under pressure with an hour on the clock.
You expected them to press on after the equaliser, but it is Villa who are now firmly on top.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:49 , George Flood58 mins: Villa have recovered really well since the goal, they are now monopolising possession and asking plenty of questions of this Arsenal defence.
An uncertain clearance from Gyokeres invites more pressure.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:47 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
No shock that goal came down Arsenal's right flank. Even in a poor first half, it was showing signs of real threat.
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
13:47 , George Flood55 mins: Villa hadn’t really managed a foot on the ball in this one-sided start to the second half, but now they have woken up after the equaliser.
Rogers leading the way, though McGinn has just picked out Cash with a superb ball that the right-back slices behind.
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal | Leandro Trossard 52'
13:43 , George Flood52 mins: The pressure quickly tells - how about that for a swift impact yet again from the returning Trossard!
Rice wins the ball from Onana and Odegaard combines brilliantly with Saka, whose low cross is taken away from Gyokeres by the hand of Martinez.
However, Trossard is there to fire in from close range.
Game on.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:40 , George Flood50 mins: An unmarked Trossard volleys narrowly wide of the post after being picked out nicely by Odegaard.
Awful weather now at Villa Park, it’s raining very heavily and looks very dark indeed.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:38 , George Flood47 minutes: Arsenal pile on the pressure straight after the interval, no doubt having received some stern words from Arteta in the dressing room.
Konsa is forced to concede a corner ahead of Martinez, who then punches clear and easily saves from Gyokeres.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:36 , George FloodBack underway at a now rainy Villa Park, following a brief delay caused by an equipment malfunction with the officials.
Will Arsenal respond to a rare setback?
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:34 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
Not many times that Arteta has made a double change at the break. An admission that he got his team wrong?
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:33 , George FloodNo messing around from Arteta, who is sending on both Gyokeres and Trossard at half-time.
They are replacing Merino and Eze.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:29 , George FloodCash drills in his third Premier League goal of the season to continue his recent popularity shift among the Villa fanbase.
Eze caught napping, no pressure at all on the initial cross.
Arteta will be seething with that, given how otherwise imperiously Arsenal have defended this season.
MATTY CASH BREAKS THE DEADLOCK 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 6, 2025
He slots the ball between David Raya's legs and Aston Villa lead against the league leaders...@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dRGhb86COv
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:24 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
The hosts are ahead at the break thanks to Matty Cash's goal. It’s been a fairly open and entertaining game.
Arsenal had some good moments in attack, especially down the right flank.
Saka looking lively, but the left side - by contrast - is not clicking.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:21 , George FloodHalf-time
A rip-roaring first half draws to a close at a raucous Villa Park.
The hosts deservedly lead after Cash caught out Eze to thunder through the legs of Raya.
Eze earlier saw a tap-in ruled out for offside.
Work to do for Arsenal.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:19 , George Flood46 mins: Into one minute of added time at Villa Park.
Rogers with a bamboozling run in the Arsenal box shortly after Watkins had only managed to pick out Odegaard with a cutback.
Tielemans can’t nudge home at the near post and the half-time whistle sounds.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:16 , George Flood43 mins: Arsenal, to their credit, are rallying before half-time in search of a response, White shooting tamely straight at Martinez after a brilliant run down the right from Saka.
They quickly come again, with Rice blazing off target in the sun.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:13 , George Flood39 mins: We haven’t said it much - if at all - this season, but Arsenal need half-time here to regroup.
They look rattled as Villa continue to pour forward soaring with confidence after that goal, quickly forcing another corner.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
13:11 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
Not great defensively from Arsenal that goal.
Eze is caught napping at the back post. A rare sloppy moment.
GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal | Matty Cash 36'
13:08 , George Flood36 mins: The Gunners fall behind less than 10 minutes before half-time!
Cash reacts quicker than Eze following a cross from the left to rifle through Raya’s legs at the back post.
Villa Park erupts.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
13:07 , George Flood34 mins: Rogers poses more high-tempo threat for Villa at one end before Eze fouls Torres at the other as he tries to connect with a dangerous Arsenal cross into the box.
More ironic cheers from the frustrated home fans.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
13:04 , George Flood30 mins: Onana flies in with what looked like a great challenge on Merino.
Villa fans cannot believe that has been given as a free-kick and they continue to chant about referee Peter Bankes.
Darren England is on VAR duty today, by the way.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
13:02 , George Flood28 mins: “You’re not fit to referee” is the cry from the disgruntled Villa fans at Peter Bankes after a free-kick given for a challenge by Konsa on England team-mate Eze.
Superb from Rice, who is absolutely everywhere as usual for Arsenal as he makes a key block to thwart Cash.
Raya earns a free-kick from the resulting corner as Rogers and Torres pile on the pressure in a crowded six-yard box.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
13:00 , George Flood25 mins: Timber has been left on his backside a few times in these early stages, Maatsen the latest to do it to earn Villa a corner.
Cash’s underwhelming delivery from the left is seen away by Rice.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:55 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
This is far more open than recent games Arsenal have been involved in.
Saka, in particular, is starting to get some joy out on the right.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:54 , George Flood20 mins: Arsenal have the ball in the back of the net after fine interplay involving Saka, but the flag is raised as Eze taps in.
Now tempers are flaring between Rogers and White.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:50 , George Flood17 mins: Saka is looking very dangerous indeed for Arsenal early on, constantly cutting in with menace and intent off that right flank.
Not much being offered by Eze on the other side so far, though.
Arsenal are wrongly denied a corner after a tussle between Saka and Torres.
Now Watkins accidentally takes the ball out of play at the other end after being released by a long pass into the left channel.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:46 , George Flood14 mins: It’s proper end-to-end stuff at Villa Park, with a ferocious effort from Saka now tipped away well by Martinez.
The follow-up is headed wide.
This surely will not end 0-0...
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:45 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
Raya produced one of the saves of the season last year to deny Ollie Watkins - and that is another brilliant one.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:44 , George Flood11 mins: That’s a superb save from Raya to keep Arsenal from falling behind early at Villa Park.
Kamara’s strong header was picked up by McGinn, who set Watkins away on a brilliant slaloming run into the box as he easily shrugged off Timber, cut inside Hincapie and blasted on target.
Great play from Watkins, the boyhood Arsenal fan and former transfer target, and a fine stop from Raya.
This is lively...
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:42 , George Flood9 mins: The first shot in anger of the day comes from Odegaard, whose tame low effort is easily held by Martinez after Timber had got forward and won the ball back high up the pitch for Arsenal.
The Gunners are quickly in again but Merino crucially overhits his through ball for Saka.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:40 , George Flood8 mins: White now runs out of room out on Arsenal’s right flank, to more ironic cheers from the noisy home fans.
The high press from both teams is forcing plenty of mistakes early.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:38 , George Flood6 mins: Hincapie now sends a ball back to Raya, who dawdles on it and has Tielemans quickly bearing down as he slices a panicked clearance into touch on the near side.
Nervy moments at the back for both teams early on.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:36 , George Flood4 mins: Villa are pressing Arsenal very high early on here, with Timber being chased down and having to go straight back to Raya.
The Gunners respond in kind as Saka puts Pau Torres under huge pressure inside his own box.
A frenetic pace to start, but no quality or chances to speak of as yet.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12:34 , George Flood2 mins: Great noise at Villa Park as the ball fizzes around all over the place early on, Arsenal monopolising possession but sending a few passes astray.
Some early touches with his feet for the fit-again Martinez.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
12:32 , George FloodHere we go!
This could be a belter as the Premier League’s form teams go head to head...
Here come the teams
12:28 , George FloodNo shortage of pyrotechnics to light up the December gloom at Villa Park.
The teams are out and we’ll be underway very shortly.
Kick-off approaching
12:24 , George FloodFinal preparations at Villa Park, the ground where Arsenal have notched their joint-most Premier League away wins (15, tied with Selhurst Park, per Opta Sports).
Will they produce another this lunchtime to go eight points clear at the top, before Manchester City face Sunderland later on?
Aston Villa fans in confident mood
12:18 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
A bold prediction from a young Villa fan, when asked by the PA announcer what the score will be today:
"10-0 to Villa, and Ollie Watkins to score all of them."
Arsenal defence stretched as injuries continue to mount
12:03 , George FloodHere’s more from Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings at Villa Park, with the Gunners’ defensive options seriously depleted now.
In other news, the return of Martin Odegaard in the middle means Eberechi Eze is out wide...
🗣️ "A sixth different centre-back pairing for Arsenal this season as injuries continue to pile up."@sr_collings reacts to that Arsenal team news at Villa Park, where their defence looks stretched
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 6, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/wYhFezDjc9#AFC | #AVLARS pic.twitter.com/xgD91cZway
Another new Arsenal centre-back pairing
11:57 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
I make this Arsenal's sixth different centre-back partnership to start a game this season in what is their 22nd match of the campaign:
Gabriel + Saliba
Gabriel +Mosquera
Saliba + Mosquera
Hincapie + Mosquera
Hincapie + Timber
Hincapie + Saliba
Salmon on bench as Gyokeres nurses broken finger
11:49 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings at Villa Park
Marli Salmon - who turned 16 at the end of August - on the bench, such are Arsenal's injury issues.
Viktor Gyokeres a sub, too. He has had a broken finger, but strapped it up for Brentford game and trained with it yesterday.
Martinez fit for Arsenal reunion as Villa draft in Tielemans
11:38 , George FloodThe big news for Aston Villa is that Emi Martinez has shaken off that back injury to start against his former club.
He replaces Marco Bizot in goal.
The only other change from Wednesday night’s thrilling 4-3 win over Brighton sees Youri Tielemans replace Evann Guessand.
Young goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead is replaced on the bench by teenage midfielder George Hemmings.
Gabriel Jesus set for Arsenal U21 friendly against Manchester United
11:31 , George FloodArsenal explain the absence of Gabriel Jesus from their matchday squad at Villa Park...
“Gabriel Jesus and Max Dowman have travelled with the under-21s for a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United at St George’s Park as they look to build up their match fitness.”
Rice starts for Arsenal as Trossard returns but no Saliba
11:28 , George FloodSo Declan Rice is fit to start for Arsenal today after all, with Leandro Trossard on the bench.
There is still no William Saliba though, with Jurrien Timber partnering Piero Hincapie at centre-back with Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel also out, and Ben White on the right of defence.
16-year-old academy centre-back Marli Salmon is on the bench.
The fit-again Martin Odegaard starts for the second game in a row, while Mikel Merino leads the attack once more ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, who will have a broken finger strapped up.
He is flanked by Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, who both return to the starting lineup after a rest in midweek at the expense of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
No Gabriel Jesus in the squad.
Aston Villa lineup
11:18 , George FloodAston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen, Onana, Kamara, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins
Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Hemmings, Buendia, Malen, Sancho
Arsenal lineup
11:17 , George FloodArsenal XI: Raya, White, Timber, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Eze, Merino
Subs: Kepa, Lewis-Skelly, Salmon, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Trossard, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres
Rice and Trossard with Arsenal squad - no Saliba?
11:12 , George FloodWhispers on X now that William Saliba is not with the Arsenal squad today.
However, in better news it looks like Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard are both fit having been pictured arriving at Villa Park.
Lineups on the way...
Will Merino continue to lead Arsenal attack?
11:07 , George FloodWe should be getting the official lineups from Villa Park very soon.
Another big question for Arsenal is - will Mikel Merino continue to lead the attack with Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus both back fit?
The midfielder has again excelled as an emergency option up top, scoring once again in midweek.
And Mikel Arteta admitted yesterday that Merino could carry on in that role even with Arsenal’s strikers available for selection.
“I think he has earned at least the thinking behind it with the way he’s performing and the impact that he’s bringing to the team, so that’s a yes,” he said.
“Yeah [Merino has grown into the position], and they are playing together, even with Viktor, it can be with Gabi [Jesus], and there are things that we have prepared during the summer because of the squad that we have, and so far we haven’t been able to do.”
Arteta hails Arsenal deals for Edwin and Holger Quintero
11:02 , George FloodSpeaking of transfers, earlier this week Arsenal confirmed a double deal for 16-year-old Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero.
They are two of the most highly-rated young players in South American football and will join from Independiente del Valle - the club that also produced current Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie and Chelsea superstar Moises Caicedo - when they turn 18 in the summer of 2027.
Mikel Arteta believes it is proof that Arsenal are capable of signing the “best talent” out there.
“Well, there is certainly something that I think is very positive,” said Arteta.
“I mean, we can recruit the best talent that is out there.
“Obviously the rules and the limitation that the league provides in relation to using them before a certain age, it is a challenge.
“But we saw that as a good opportunity for us and if we are ahead, I think that’s something very positive.
“For me, the first intention obviously has to be to develop our own players in-house, but that doesn’t mean that you have to close any doors for any talent that we have.
“That goes for players and it goes as well to staff I think.”
Arteta makes Arsenal transfer admission as injury woes continue
10:57 , George FloodThere was plenty of ground covered by Mikel Arteta at yesterday’s pre-match press conference, including an admission that Arsenal would be “open” and “alert” to potential new signings in the January transfer window amid ongoing injury woes that are not adversely impacting their title push due to that new-found squad depth.
“We always have to be prepared,” he said.
“I mean, the moment that we have an option to touch the squad, to bring to the squad or to protect the squad, depending on what happens, I think we need to be open, for example, one what’s going to happen from here till the window is closed as well, it's football.
“So we don’t know, but we’re certainly going to be alert and we know where the risk can come in terms of the squad, and be ready just in case we have to do something.”
However, those aforementioned fitness issues mean Arsenal are not currently in a position to let anyone leave next month.
“At the moment, obviously, we haven't had a situation, as we mentioned before, where players are out of the squad for three or four weeks in a row,” Arteta said.
“At the moment, we know that the squad we have, we are full-framing with the players that are fit. So, at the moment, it's very clear that there's no option to do that.”
Arteta: Emery won't be 'extra' motivated by Arsenal revenge
10:48 , George FloodToday’s game at Villa Park of course also sees Unai Emery go up against the club that sacked him in November 2019, only 18 months after he was appointed as the ideal man to lead the post-Arsene Wenger era at Arsenal.
That led to the appointment of Mikel Arteta, who has evolved the Gunners into Premier League title favourites while Emery has bounced back superbly at Villa.
Does Arteta believe his opposite number and compatriot will have any extra motivation against Arsenal?
“I don't know,” he said yesterday. “I think when you look at Unai, his career, his motivation level, everywhere he’s had an impact, it's all been remarkable.
“So I don't know, that's a question for him. But in my opinion, he never needs anything extra. I think he's good enough in himself.”
Arsenal in third kit against Aston Villa
10:40 , George FloodAn early peek inside the Arsenal dressing room, with the Gunners set to don their white third shirts this afternoon against Aston Villa’s claret and blue...
Emery has faith in Bizot if Martinez misses Arsenal reunion
10:36 , George FloodThere was no Emi Martinez in the training pictures posted by Aston Villa from Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon.
So it could well be Marco Bizot in goal again for Unai Emery’s side today.
He conceded three in the seven-goal thriller at Brighton in midweek and made a blunder for Jan Paul van Hecke’s opener, but also made some solid saves including a fine stop to deny Danny Welbeck a last-gasp equaliser.
“We will train this afternoon, he didn’t train yesterday, but it’s very important for him, how he is passing the hours feeling better,” Emery had said of Martinez earlier on Friday.
“Until the last moment, I don’t know if he’s going to be available or not for tomorrow.”
On Bizot, Emery said after the win over Brighton: “Of course, we have Marco, who is a fantastic guy.
"A fantastic professional who has accepted his role. He knew his role when he started here, but to be second to Martinez is not easy.
"And he's always available, awaiting his moment. And he performed fantastically."
Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings has arrived at Villa Park, for my money one of the very best old stadiums in the country.
We await to hear if the likes of Declan Rice, William Saliba, Leandro Trossard and Emi Martinez have done likewise...
At Villa Park for Aston Villa v Arsenal
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) December 6, 2025
3rd v 1st in the Premier League pic.twitter.com/zmtQjHgcMg
Arsenal 'fears' over 'complicated' Mosquera injury blow
10:23 , George FloodA big new concern for Arsenal is the injury to summer signing Cristhian Mosquera, who was hurt in an awkward landing after challenging Brentford’s Kevin Schade for a header shortly before half-time on Wednesday night.
“That's the one that is more complicated,” Mikel Arteta said on his fellow Spaniard on Friday.
“But again, we have another test today to see where we are with them.”
Arteta confirmed it was an ankle injury for Mosquera and when asked if he was worried about his fitness, he replied: “No, we need to know, because the feeling that we had after the game and yesterday, we need to corroborate with other testing that we do today.”
The BBC reported later on Friday that Arsenal feared Mosquera could be missing for six to eight weeks as he prepares to undergo further tests.
With Mosquera and Gabriel both out, Arteta would be forced into another defensive reshuffle at Villa Park this afternoon if William Saliba isn’t ready to return.
Mosquera has played the last couple of games alongside fellow summer recruit Piero Hincapie in central defence, with the pair looking generally solid together.
If there is no Saliba today, you would expect Ben White or maybe Jurrien Timber to partner Hincapie instead.
Arteta gives Rice injury update: Every hour is important
10:16 , George FloodYou would expect Declan Rice to be fine for today after what he said upon exiting the Emirates after the win over Brentford, but Mikel Arteta was not giving anything away at London Colney yesterday ahead of a final Arsenal training session.
“Let’s see,” he said. “I think with all the questions I'm going to get, the answer, unfortunately, is going to be the same.
“We have another training session in the afternoon.
“Every hour is going to be very important to see the availability of the players. After that, we'll decide which ones [are available].”
On William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, he said: “It is a matter of days with those two, for sure.”
Aston Villa vs Arsenal prediction
10:10 , George FloodTrips to Villa Park have generally been good to the Gunners - along with Selhurst Park, it has seen the most away Premier League wins (15) in Arsenal history.
Their most recent visit was a fruitful one, emerging with a 2-0 win in August last year.
At the Emirates Stadium, however, they were held to a 2-2 draw.
Villa are often tricky customers, and are the form side in the division - excluding Arsenal - having won six games on the spin.
This should be a highly-entertaining game, with both sides throwing caution to the wind.
Draw, 2-2.
Arsenal team news: Mikel Arteta unsure over Declan Rice
10:05 , George FloodArsenal will hope that Declan Rice is ready for today’s game after he was forced off with a calf issue late on in the 2-0 home win over Brentford in midweek.
Rice said after the game that he was “fine”, though manager Mikel Arteta was non-committal at Friday’s pre-match press conference when asked if the influential England midfielder would be fit.
William Saliba and Leandro Trossard could both return from their respective knocks at Villa Park, though reports on Friday claimed that Cristhian Mosquera could be facing six weeks out with an ankle injury that also saw him forced off against Brentford.
Gabriel and Kai Havertz remain sidelined.
Aston Villa team news: Late call on Emi Martinez
10:01 , George FloodEmi Martinez has been in a race against time to be fit to face former club Arsenal this afternoon.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was picked to start as usual against Brighton in midweek, but was forced to withdraw just minutes before kick-off with a back injury that prevented him from completing a proper warm-up as deputy Marco Bizot stepped in.
Martinez was not spotted at Villa training at Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon and manager Unai Emery earlier admitted that he would not know until the “last moment” if the Argentine would be available.
The hosts are definitely without Ross Barkley, who could miss up to 12 weeks with a knee injury suffered in the 1-0 win over rivals Wolves last weekend.
Former England defender Tyrone Mings is not expected back from his hamstring issue until January, meanwhile.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal
09:57 , George FloodTV channel: Today’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 11.30am GMT on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal live
09:53 , George FloodGood morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Aston Villa vs Arsenal.
It’s a delicious lunchtime showdown between two in-form teams to kick off another busy weekend of Premier League action, with third playing host to first in a high-stakes contest.
A win for Arsenal would see them go eight points clear at the summit ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Sunderland later, while revenge for Unai Emery over his former employers would see them jump to second and cut the gap to today’s opponents to only three points.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 12:30pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, all the latest breaking team news, lineups and live game updates, including expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings at Villa Park.
