Arsenal battle it out against Aston Villa and former boss Unai Emery this evening.
The Gunners prevailed over their fierce rivals Tottenham during the week with a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Another north London derby, another big moment from Gabi ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/tfrgVCnbGy
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 17, 2025
Gabriel Jesus isn’t expected to return until the end of the calendar year after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He joins Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Ben White on the sidelines, with the latter scheduled to return in the next few weeks.
Aston Villa also won during midweek as they beat Everton 1-0 away from home. Pau Torres remains out, while John McGinn and Ross Barkley are not expected back until February with respective muscular injuries. Jhon Duran returned from his three-game suspension on Wednesday night but was an unused substitute.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa – Match preview and team news
Form
Arsenal: WDLDW
The Gunners triumphed over North London rivals Tottenham to claim the bragging rights for another season at least.
An own goal from Dominic Solanke and a rasping effort from Leandro Trossard saw Arsenal turn the scoreline around after Heung-min Son’s opener.
But their victory transcends the derby. Mikel Arteta’s side are now only four points behind league leaders Liverpool after they dropped points on Tuesday night.
Arteta will be hoping the derby win propels his players back into the ascendancy after a poor period. A 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup preceded an FA Cup exit on penalties to a 10-man Manchester United last week.
Aston Villa: LDWWW
Unai Emery’s side earned their third successive victory after narrowly edging out Everton at Goodison Park.
The Villans ruined David Moyes’ return to Merseyside courtesy of a solitary goal from Ollie Watkins. That result means they climbed into seventh position and are only three points off the top four.
Since the turn of the calendar year, Villa have also beaten Leicester City and West Ham in the FA Cup. In their last trip to the Emirates Stadium, Villa derailed Arsenal’s title hopes with a bruising 2-0 victory in the capital.
Last Meeting: Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal, Premier League, 24th August 2024
Arsenal rode their luck to prevail over Aston Villa in their first away trip of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side had the first chance of significance. Bukayo Saka curled a measured effort towards the bottom corner only to be denied by Emiliano Martinez’s fingertips.
The hosts were pressing with real intent which led to a golden opportunity to take the lead. Leon Bailey dispossessed Gabriel before Morgan Rogers teed up Ollie Watkins. However, the striker miscued his effort from close quarters and it trickled wide with the goal gaping.
Villa came out for the second half with a renewed sense of purpose but somehow they failed to breach David Raya’s net.
Amadou Onana’s deflected effort looped onto the crossbar and left the Arsenal goalkeeper in a heap inside his goal. The ball fell to Watkins, who stooped low to connect with a header from six yards out, but Raya miraculously recovered to thwart the Englishman.
Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock midway through the second half courtesy of Leandro Trossard. The Belgian had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes when Saka’s cutback reached him, which he instinctively dispatched into the corner. Thomas Partey cemented his side’s control on proceedings ten minutes later as his shot from the edge of the box squirmed through Martinez’s grasp.
Unai Emery’s team were fortunate not to concede a third when Martin Odegaard blazed an effort over from six yards out late on.
The Gunners’ perfect start to the season continued after being helped by a particularly wasteful display from Aston Villa
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Rice; Trossard, Odegaard, Martinelli, Havertz.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Bailey, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins.
Who is the referee?
Chris Kavanagh will be the match official. He will be assisted by Lee Betts and Neil Davies while John Busby will be the fourth official. The VAR will be John Brooks and he will be assisted by Darren Cann.
What TV channel is Arsenal vs Aston Villa on?
Arsenal vs Aston Villa will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Ultra, Sky Go UK, NOW UK and Sky Sports+.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium will be at 17:30 GMT on Saturday 18th January 2025.
Odds
Arsenal: 12/25
Draw: 31/10
Aston Villa: 6/1
