Arsenal and Aston Villa meet for the second time in December as the Villans travel to the Emirates to take on the Gunners. A massive match with Premier League title-race implications rounds the 2025 calendar
year for both clubs as the season hits the halfway mark.
Both sides embody the ability for top clubs to find results against the odds, for better and for worse. While Villa have racked up gritty wins despite the stats not being in their favor, the Gunners have managed to push through a dry spell in front of goal with the inexplicable help of 4 own goals over the last 3 matches. Sometimes you’re lucky. Sometimes, you’re good. Occasionally, you’re both.
Tuesday’s match between the two fortunate sides will have an undeniable domino effect on the title race. Arsenal’s two point lead at the top of the table has been hanging on by a thread with Manchester City circling, while Villa have turned what was once a two team battle into a three horse race. The longest winning streak in the league comes face to face with the league’s top home side and top defense less than a month after the last kick of the match proved to be the difference between the two sides at Villa Park.
Regression at the halfway point isn’t unheard of. Tired legs and a match every three days will do that to you. The defense has, understandably, taken a step back with injuries ripping through the position group. But the more pressing concern are their struggles in front of goal. This isn’t the first time Arsenal have had issues putting the ball in the net, and everything points to a side that is overdue a course correction. Almost all of the attackers are healthy and available, the chances have been there, but the final touch has simply eluded them.
With all eyes on the Emirates on Tuesday night for a decisive match, there’s no better time for Arsenal to put things right and put the ball in the back of the net. They’ve gotten away with it against a slate of less potent opponents, but the question remains: can they get over their slump and get it done when it matters most?
Here are three talking points ahead of Tuesday’s match:
Know the Enemy
Aston Villa come to the Emirates in 3rd place in the league with 39 points and a record of 12W/3D/3L.
Good keeps getting better for Aston Villa. After beating Arsenal at the death at Villa Park three weeks ago, they haven’t stopped winning. The most in-form side in England have tacked on another five wins across all competitions after delivering the Gunners their 2nd loss of the season to extend their club-record winning streak to 8 in the Premier League and 11 overall.
A team can only overperform statistics and metrics for so long before you throw your hands up and say fair play and at this stage, it becomes harder and harder to write off their fortunes as a fluke. You can throw xG and field tilt out the window when trying to analyze them. At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the final scoreline, and they have ended up on the better side of it far more than not.
Tactically, they are extremely well-drilled and disciplined in their game plan with a squad that knows their responsibilities and roles. Ollie Watkins has re-emerged over the last month, while Morgan Rogers continues banging in goals from inexplicable angles and situations. No one on their roster is going to run away with any scoring or defensive accolades, but that doesn’t matter as long as they keep finding results.
And therein lies their greatest strength. They are also quite possibly the best team when playing with their backs against the wall, digging out late winners time and time again, as Arsenal know all too painfully. Mentality isn’t something you coach as much as it is developed. Currently, theirs is rock-solid.
With every passing match comes the same “surely they can’t keep doing this” statements, and yet, they do. Home or away, they are grinding out results as they have firmly inserted themselves into the title race.
One aspect that could potentially impact their ability to notch a 13th win will be player availability. The Villans saw two crucial players pick up their 5th yellow cards of the campaign against Chelsea, meaning they will miss the Arsenal match. With Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara out, Emery has decisions to make to replace two of his most trusted starters. They will also be without Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, and Ross Barkley, who are all out with injury.
Injuries & Suspensions
Arsenal were dealt a double hammer blow before Saturday’s match even began when Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were both left out with injuries. Timber tweaked his ankle during training, while Calafiori felt something during warm ups before the match and was a late scratch. Hopefully, neither are long term, but at this point in Arsenal’s season, it’s practically expected.
OUT: Kai Havertz (knee), Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Ben White (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: Riccardo Calafiori (knock), Jurrien Timber (ankle)
Predicted Lineup
Attack: Martinelli, Jesus, Saka
As much as it pains me to say it, Viktor Gyökeres just isn’t who we hoped he would be. After 20 matches across all competitions, he hasn’t seemed to find a rhythm or show a second level. Enter Gabriel Jesus. Since his return from his ACL layoff, he has quickly reminded Arsenal fans of what he brings to the table. His ability to receive the ball in tight spaces, control the ball, and link up with his supporting cast is exceptional. Gyökeres wasn’t up to the task against Villa a few matches ago, so it’s Jesus’ time to shine. Considering their overlapping play styles, I think this match sees Leandro Trossard come off the bench with Gabriel Martinelli starting. He complements Jesus’ play style, and the two linked up well against Brighton. Bukayo Saka has returned to his elite level recently, and he will look to be the difference maker off of the right.
Midfield: Rice, Zubimendi, Ødegaard
Martin Ødegaard played out of his skin on Saturday, putting in a shift reminiscent of his incandescent form from the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons. His daisy cutter from the edge of the box was vintage MØ, and he looks to have fully recovered from his previous injury. Declan Rice can do it all, as he proved as a makeshift right back against the Seagulls. He is the heartbeat of the midfield, and he will be key for Arsenal as they look to make amends for their last-gasp loss at Villa Park. Martin Zubimendi is a quiet maestro at the pivot, and his role as release valve and tempo setter has been a massive reason for Arsenal’s spot in the table.
Defense: Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber
The defense has had to deal with an inordinate amount of change in the last month with injuries decimating the position group. But Saturday saw the return of the league’s best defender when Gabriel Magalhães came off the bench after missing the last several weeks with a hamstring injury. His return gives the Gunners their defensive spine back, and not a moment too soon. Jurrien Timber missed the Brighton match after tweaking his ankle, so hopefully he is fit to suit up against the Villans. Riccardo Calafiori’s late injury during warm ups saw Myles Lewis-Skelly start, and I imagine he will get the nod again. If not, Piero Hincapie comes into the left.
Keeper: Raya
Superman wears David Raya pajamas. His leaping acrobatic fingertip save in the second half kept Brighton from equalizing and prevented Arsenal from dropping points. He may not get tested often, but he is sensational when called upon.
New Year’s is all about resolutions, and for the Gunners, there are few more pressing resolutions than getting the attack clicking, and there’s no better time to get a head start on that than Tuesday. Top of the league and Champions League tables half way through the season is proof of their quality. We all know they have the talent and the ability. All they need now is for a few shots to go their way and for a run of health and 2026 could be a truly spectacular year for the Gunners.
WHO: Arsenal vs Aston Villa
WHAT: Premier League match day 19
WHEN: Tuesday, December 30th, 3:15pm EST/12:15pm PST/8:15pm GMT
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Peacock platform
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