As the Premier League hurtles towards the new year, all eyes are on the Emirates Stadium for a blockbuster clash between table-toppers Arsenal and in-form challengers Aston Villa on Tuesday, December 30,
2025. Kick-off is set for 8:15 PM GMT, and this encounter could have massive implications for the title race.
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, are clinging to their position at the summit, but Unai Emery's Aston Villa-riding an astonishing 11-match winning streak across all competitions, are breathing down their necks. A victory for Villa would see them draw level on points with the Gunners, potentially shifting the momentum in what has become a fiercely contested campaign.
Arsenal head into this game looking to solidify their lead at the top of the Premier League table. As of December 30, 2025, the Gunners sit first with a slender three-point advantage over their rivals, having bounced back from recent setbacks with a gritty 2-1 victory over Brighton in their last outing.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are the hottest team in the league right now. Their 11-game winning run includes triumphs over top sides like Chelsea, and they've amassed a league-high 18 points from losing positions this season, more than any other team. Emery, facing his former club where he was sacked in 2019, has a strong personal record against Arteta, with the Spaniard winning only two of their eight previous meetings as managers. Villa's away form has been particularly impressive: In their last six Premier League road trips, they've conceded the first goal each time but still emerged victorious.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Team News
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta could welcome back Jurrien Timber to the squad after he missed recent games, potentially bolstering the right-back position where Declan Rice has been deputizing. However, the Gunners are without Riccardo Calafiori (injured during warm-up), Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White. Gabriel Magalhaes made a return off the bench against Brighton, but his fitness for a full start remains in question. Eberechi Eze, who has a strong scoring record against Villa, is pushing for a spot on the bench or even in the starting XI. No new suspensions, but Arteta may rotate to manage fatigue during the busy festive period.
Aston Villa: Unai Emery faces selection headaches with Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara both suspended following yellow card accumulations. Amadou Onana is expected to slot into midfield alongside Tielemans in place of Kamara, while young Lamare Bogarde is likely to fill in at right-back. The Villans are also missing Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Ross Barkley, and Evann Guessand (away at the Africa Cup of Nations). Despite these absences, Villa's depth has been tested positively in recent weeks, and Ollie Watkins remains the focal point up front, supported by the creative talents of Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers. Interestingly, the last time Villa were without both Cash and Kamara in a Premier League game was their 1-0 win at Arsenal in April 2024-a good omen for Emery.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Prediction
This promises to be a tense, high-stakes affair with both teams capable of producing moments of magic. Arsenal's home advantage and defensive solidity give them the edge, but Villa's comeback kings status and Emery's history against Arteta can't be ignored. We predict a narrow Arsenal victory, 2-1 to the Gunners, with Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres finding the net, while Ollie Watkins grabs a consolation for Villa.
