Former Gunners boss Unai Emery will face us in Premier League action for the first time, having transformed his team’s fortunes since his arrival from Villarreal which has seen them swiftly climb the table to relative safety.
However back-to-back defeats against Leicester City and Manchester City have seen that good form halted, with the seven goals shipped in those matches as many as they had conceded in their previous seven league games combined.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Three things to know
Here’s all the information you need to know as Aston Villa play host to Arsenal this weekend.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal match facts
Date: Saturday, February 18
Kickoff Time: 07:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. GMT / 23:30 p.m. AEDT
Location: Villa Park (Birmingham, England)
Official: Simon Hooper
Aston Villa vs Arsenal team news
To Villa manager Unai Emery’s relief, he should soon have a full squad to call upon at Aston Villa with defender Diego Carlos recovering from injury though this match comes too early for his involvement. Elsewhere, Tyrone Mings looks likely to return from a knock that saw him miss the Manchester City match last time out.
Meanwhile for the visitors, Thomas Partey could again sit out after he was forced to be absent for the Gunners’ midweek loss to Manchester City due to a muscle strain. Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus will both miss out again thanks to a pair of knee injuries, while Emile Smith Rowe is still struggling for full fitness.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal odds
It’s clear to see that the bookmakers are convinced that Arsenal will get back to winning ways in the Premier League against Aston Villa this weekend.
At -130, they’re viewed as heavy favourites for this clash, but their recent struggles, coupled with Villa’s improvement under Emery, leaves plenty of value elsewhere for those who want it.
Emery was installed in his place and instantly saw an upturn in results, starting with an impressive 3-1 home win over Manchester United which kickstarted a run of five victories from their next seven matches either side of the World Cup break to lift them to mid-table, with them heading into this weekend in 11th spot.
January saw a strengthening of the squad with left-back Alex Moreno and teenage Colombian striker Jhon Duran from Real Betis and Chicago Fire respectively, while the most high-profile departure saw Danny Ings head to West Ham United.
The Aston Villa line-up is in
11:33 , Marc Mayo
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; McGinn, Luis, Kamara, Coutinho; Bailey, Watkins.
Subs: Sinisalo, Traore, Chambers, Young, Duran, Digne, Bailey, Dendoncker, Ramsey.
How Arsenal line up today
11:31 , Marc Mayo
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard.
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Holding, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Nelson, Martinelli.