Arsenal will host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, January 18 as the second-placed team will host the team in seventh place in a crucial match that will shape the top half of the table.
The Gunners will enter this match on the back of a decent performance in their last match as they defeated cross-town rivals Tottenham 2-1 at home. It was their third-consecutive win in the North London Derby, helping the team move on from two consecutive defeats against Newcastle United and Manchester United in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, respectively. They will look to take their chances and try and close the gap on Liverpool, with the Reds in action against Brentford just before the Gunners’ match.
Villa, on the other hand, have won three of their last five matches and are slowly showing signs of snapping out of their dip in form. Wins against West Ham and Everton in their last two games have brought a sense of confidence back into the squad as they gear up to visit a ground they won at last season. A win could see the Villans rise as high up as fifth place in the Premier League table and Unai Emery and his men will be well aware of the fact as well.
On that note, let’s take a look at the team news.
Arsenal Team News
Manager Mikel Arteta went with a strong lineup in the team’s last match as they defeated Spurs 2-1 at home. Most of the core squad started this game and will retain their places for the next one, with no new injuries and suspensions to report from the last match.
However, Ben White (knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Ethan Nwaneri (muscle), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Riccardo Calafiori (muscle) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) will all miss out.
Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard (C), Partey, Rice; Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli.
Aston Villa Team News
Manager Unai Emery fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match as they secured a narrow win away at Everton. There were no new injuries or suspensions picked up in that match but the Villans will be without a few players for the next one.
Diego Carlos (foot), John McGinn (hamstring), Pau Torres (foot) and Ross Barkley (calf) will all miss the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Predicted XI: Martinez (C); Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans; Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins.
Head-to-Head Record
These two have met frequently in the last several seasons and have produced competitive matches as both teams continue to challenge in the top half of the Premier League. The last five meetings have seen Arsenal secure three wins, while Aston Villa have won the other two matches.
| Date | Match | Competition |
| 24/08/24 | Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 14/04/24 | Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa | Premier League |
| 09/12/23 | Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 18/02/23 | Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal | Premier League |
| 01/09/22 | Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa | Premier League |
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction
Going by the recent head-to-head record, there is not much to decipher as both teams have defeated each other home and away. Recent form suggests both teams are playing well and this could be a close one, but Arsenal will edge it due to home advantage.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa.
