Arsenal vs Aston Villa Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Aston Villa:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Rogers, Tielemans, Bailey; Watkins
Arsenal will welcome another Champions League participants Aston Villa to the Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners are second on the table, just four points away from the leaders Liverpool. The difference was bigger in December, but Liverpool dropped many points during the busy festive period. Aston Villa, meanwhile, sit in the 7th place and manager Unai Emeri must find a way to improve the results. Arsenal are far from their best form. They are close to suffer elimination from the Carabao Cup after losing 2:0 to Newcastle at home. In just four days, they were also eliminated from the FA Cup, from Manchester United on penalties. Losing matches is always a problem and affects the players confidence, but this time could be positive. Arteta will now be fully focused on the remaining two competitions - Premier League and UEFA Champions League. Arteta has some injury issues as key player Bukayo Saka is out with a hamstring injury. To be worse, Gabriel Jesus suffered ACL injury, one that will undoubtedly keep him out for the rest of the season. Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined, while Riccardo Calafiori is doubtful with a muscular problem.
Aston Villa ended the last calendar year in poor fashion. They suffered a painful 3:0 defeat to Newcastle and dropped two points against Brighton playing a 2:2 draw. Nevertheless, Aston Villa have improved the form and registered two important victories in 2025. The Villans managed to beat Leicester City and Everton and the players confidence is now higher. Aston Villa also secured a progress in the FA Cup, beating West Ham. A victory in this match would see them just five points from the second-placed Arsenal. But Emery also has injury issues. Pau Torres, Ross Barkley and John McGinn are sidelined, while the situation with defender Diego Carlos is not clear. According to Emery, he is injured, but there are speculations that he will be sold to Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. Finally, Jaden Philogene was loaned to Ipswich Town, while Donyell Malen arrived from Borussia Dortmund and could start from the bench.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction:
This derby comes in the worst possible moment as both teams will play in the Champions League few days later. Arsenal will host Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday, while Aston Villa travel to Principality to face Monaco on Tuesday. However, both Arteta and Emery have to be focus on the Premier League. According to me, Arsenal are closer to the victory, mainly due to home advantage. Since the odds are too low, I will suggest a "handicap victory". The Gunners have bigger roster, something very important at the moment. The initial stake will be returned if Arsenal win with one goal exactly.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Pick: Arsenal -1.0 AH @ 1.88 with
Pinnacle