Injury hit Arsenal seek revenge against Unai Emery’s high flying Aston Villa | OneFootball

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Tuesday night with a fixture that has become increasingly uncomfortable in recent seasons, as Aston Villa arrive at the Emirates Stadium in buoyant mood and firmly in the title conversation.

Mikel Arteta’s side overcame Brighton at the weekend to remain unbeaten at home this season but this is a very different test. Villa are the division’s form team, having won their last 11 matches in all competitions, and sit third in the table, just three points behind Arsenal. They also arrive with a psychological edge, having already beaten the Gunners earlier this month.

Arsenal’s most recent defeat came against Unai Emery’s side on 6 December, a game Arteta described as “quite cruel” in the manner of its ending. Villa struck with literally the last kick in the Midlands earlier this month, continuing a worrying trend for Arsenal in this fixture. They have lost three of their last five Premier League games against Villa (W1 D1), and could now suffer a league double, something that had only happened once previously, back in 1992-93.

Villa have also found the Emirates a happier hunting ground of late. They are unbeaten in their last two away league visits to north London, winning 2-0 in April 2024 and drawing 2-2 the season before.

Arteta is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge. “We want every opponent that comes here to suffer,” he said, pointing to Arsenal’s desire to dominate games when they won with their fourth own goal in three games against Brighton. But he acknowledged Villa’s quality and consistency, adding that they “fully deserve” to be considered genuine title contenders alongside Arsenal and Manchester City, crediting the work Emery has done since returning to the Premier League.

Arsenal’s preparations have not been helped by defensive concerns. Ben White remains sidelined, while Jurrien Timber is a doubt after missing Saturday’s win. Declan Rice could again deputise at right-back, but that would inevitably weaken Arsenal in midfield against a Villa side brimming with confidence and tactical clarity. With January approaching, Arteta admitted the club must be “actively looking” at what is needed in the market, particularly with injuries mounting at the back as Riccardo Calafiori was crocked in Saturday’s pre-match warm up.

Much of Villa’s goal threat centres around Ollie Watkins, and Emery faces a selection dilemma after the striker came off the bench to score twice against Chelsea at the weekend. Watkins, an Arsenal fan growing up and a player the Gunners bid for this time last season, has an excellent record against his boyhood club, scoring four goals in five away Premier League appearances at Arsenal, more than any other Villa player.

For Arsenal, there are attacking questions of their own. Kai Havertz is on the verge of being available for the first time this season, Gabriel Jesus is fit again but scoreless and Viktor Gyokeres has now gone seven games without a goal from open play, though Arteta played down concerns, insisting persistence is key and pointing to the chances and positions his forward continues to find himself in.

Tuesday night feels like a crossroads moment. Arsenal want to reassert authority at home and banish recent Villa demons; Emery’s side want to prove their title credentials and continue a remarkable run. As Arteta put it, this is a “really tough match” – and one that could say plenty about where the Premier League race is heading.