Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

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Evening Standard

·29 dicembre 2025

Arsenal XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

Mikel Arteta still dealing with injury problems ahead of huge game at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal face Aston Villa on Tuesday

OneFootball Video

Arsenal will hope to have Jurrien Timber back for their crucial match at home to Aston Villa on Tuesday.

The Dutchman was left out of the squad for the 2-1 win over Brighton, having failed to recover from an issue he picked up against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.

“We missed him because in the last part of the [Palace] game he felt something and he could not carry on so he's out,” Mikel Arteta said on Saturday.

It does not appear to be a serious injury and Timber could return to face Villa, who are on a run of 11 straight wins in all competitions and would go level on points with Arsenal with a victory.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Should Timber be available again, Declan Rice would move back into his midfield role after slotting in at full-back.

Riccardo Calafiori is a major doubt after withdrawing from the warm-up against Brighton and being replaced in the starting line-up by Myles Lewis-Skelly.

In better news for Arsenal, Gabriel has returned from an adductor injury and could make his first start since early November.

If Arteta does opt to rotate, those changes are likely to come in attack.

Gabriel Jesus continues to look bright when given minutes and could come in for Viktor Gyokeres, who again offered little against Brighton.

Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze are also pushing for more involvement, but Gabriel Martinelli could be the one to get the nod on the left wing.

Having returned to full first-team training, Kai Havertz is believed to be close to featuring in the matchday squad.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Injured: White, Mosquera, Dowman

Doubts: Timber, Calafiori, Havertz

Time and date: 8.15pm GMT on Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Venue: Emirates Stadium

How to watch: Sky Sports