Arsenal vs Aston Villa predicted lineups: Confirmed team news + possible XIs | OneFootball

The hosts are very much back in the Premier League title race after their morale-boosting 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Tottenham in the North London Derby in midweek

The intriguing showdown in North London will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa predicted lineups

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Sterling, Havertz, Trossard

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Rodgers, Tielemans, Ramsey, Watkins

Arsenal vs Aston Villa team news

The Gunners have seen their strongest line-up significantly depleted by an injury crisis that has so far wiped out the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehri Tomiyasu – all of which are set to be out for some time.

Riccardo Calafiori has also been struggling with a knee injury in recent games and could return soon. Even if he was fit to play against Villa, though, Myles Lewis-Skelly has deputised superbly in his position and might now be hard to dislodge after a stellar display against Tottenham.

The rest of Mikel Arteta’s team should largely stay the same as it was, with the Spaniard likely to stick with his midfield three of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

In attack, Arteta has the option of bringing in Gabriel Martinelli. However, after Leandro Trossard’s match-winning display against Tottenham that saw him shine on the left wing, it would be harsh to remove him from the team.

Villa are missing Pau Torres, Ross Barkley and John McGinn for this game. Otherwise, Diego Carlos is also likely to sit out after a foot injury. There is also speculation linking him with a move to Fenerbache.

With McGinn and Barkley out, there aren’t many options for Emery to switch up his midfield. We can expect Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana to continue centrally, with the same forward line of Morgan Rodgers, Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins.

Emery has just signed Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen, who started as a youth player at Arsenal. He will be a huge boost to the Villa squad for the remainder of the campaign – though it’s unlikely he will be thrown straight into the starting XI immediately. Instead, he should provide an option off the bench.

Imperious Gabriel

Arsenal’s corner threat has been one of the most talked-about topics of the season and Gabriel Magalhaes’ was back at it again from a set-piece against Spurs in midweek.

The Brazilian went on a mazy run around the six-yard box before guiding a header past Spurs ‘keeper Antonin Kinsky to get the Gunners level at the Emirates on Wednesday night – though it actually went down as a Dominic Solanke own goal.

It was the 26th goal Arsenal have scored from a corner in the Premier League since the start of last season and Gabriel’s physical presence has been a big part in the team’s dominance from set-plays.

Four of those 26 have come against Spurs – and Gabriel also scored from a corner in the reverse fixture against Spurs this season, which was a 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was the centre-back’s second goal involvement in as many games after his magnificent goal on the half volley in the previous game against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.

Emery will have drilled Villa on Arsenal’s corner threat ahead of this game and they’ll be on their guard – but they better succeed where Tottenham failed and tightly mark Gabriel.