Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Premier League 2025/26

On: December 27, 2025 10:51 PM

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Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Match Preview

A colossal title showdown rocks the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, 30 December 2025. Arsenal, currently sitting top of the Premier League with 39 points, welcome 3rd-placed Aston Villa (36 points) for a high-stakes “six-pointer.” The Gunners are looking for revenge after falling 2–1 to Unai Emery’s side at Villa Park just weeks ago on December 6th. Villa arrive in north London in scintillating form, riding a lengthy winning streak that includes victories over Manchester United and Arsenal themselves. With only three points separating the sides, a win for the visitors would draw them level with the league leaders, blowing the title race wide open heading into the New Year.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Match Info

Competition: Premier League (Matchday 19)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London (Capacity: 60,704)
Date: Tuesday, 30 December 2025
Kickoff: 20:15 GMT | 21:15 CET | 15:15 ET
Referee: Darren England (ENG)

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Match Stakes

Arsenal (1st — 39 pts):

Win → Moves to 42 pts; opens a 6-point gap over Villa and solidifies 1st place.
Draw → Maintains the 3-point buffer; keeps Villa at arm’s length.
Loss → Villa draw level on 39 pts; Arsenal could lose top spot if Man City (2nd) also win.

Aston Villa (3rd — 36 pts):

Win → Moves to 39 pts; goes level with Arsenal; establishes genuine title credentials.
Draw → A superb away result; keeps them firmly in the title mix.
Loss → Gap to leaders widens to 6 pts; reality check after a hot streak.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Team News

Arsenal:

Havertz K. — Out (Knee Injury – Long Term)
Gabriel Magalhaes — Out (Thigh Injury)
Mosquera C. — Out (Ankle Injury)
Rice D. — Questionable (Calf – Late fitness test expected)
Trossard L. — Questionable (Returning from knock)
Rotation: Mikel Arteta may rotate slightly following the EFL Cup win over Crystal Palace on Christmas Eve.

Aston Villa:

Mings T. — Out (Hamstring Injury)
Barkley R. — Out (Knee Injury)
Buendia E. — Available (Scored winner in reverse fixture; pushing for a start)
Watkins O. — Available (Key Goal Threat)
Martinez E. — Available (Returning to former club)

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Arsenal

24/12 — 2–1 vs Crystal Palace (EFL Cup)
21/12 — 1–0 vs Everton (Premier League)
14/12 — 2–1 vs Wolves (Premier League)
11/12 — 3–0 vs Club Brugge (Champions League)
06/12 — 1–2 vs Aston Villa (Premier League)

Aston Villa

21/12 — 2–1 vs Manchester Utd (Premier League)
14/12 — 3–2 vs West Ham (Premier League)
12/12 — 2–1 vs Basel (Europa League)
06/12 — 2–1 vs Arsenal (Premier League)
04/12 — 4–3 vs Brighton (Premier League)

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

06/12/2025 — Aston Villa 2–1 Arsenal (Premier League)
18/01/2025 — Arsenal 2–2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
24/08/2024 — Aston Villa 0–2 Arsenal (Premier League)
14/04/2024 — Arsenal 0–2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
09/12/2023 — Aston Villa 1–0 Arsenal (Premier League)

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Arsenal (4-3-3)

Raya; White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber; Partey, Odegaard, Zubimendi; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Aston Villa (4-4-1-1)

Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bailey, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers; Watkins

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Impact Bench

Arsenal: Nwaneri (Creative spark), Jesus (Experience), Sterling (Pace)

Aston Villa: Buendia (Proven match-winner), Duran (Physical chaos), Ramsey (Energy)

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Tactical Analysis

Arsenal

At the Emirates, Arsenal will look to dominate the ball and pin Villa back. The key battle will be in midfield, where Martin Odegaard needs to find pockets of space behind Villa’s double pivot of Onana and Tielemans. Arsenal must be wary of Villa’s high line—Arteta will likely instruct Martinelli and Saka to make diagonal runs in behind to exploit the space Pau Torres leaves.

Aston Villa

Unai Emery has Villa playing fearless football. They have won 10 games in a row (all comps) by backing their high defensive line and transitioning at lightning speed. Morgan Rogers has been a revelation in the #10 role, linking play with Ollie Watkins. Villa will look to bait Arsenal’s press and then hit long balls into the channels for Watkins to chase.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Key Battles

Watkins vs Saliba — The league’s best striker vs the league’s best defender.
Saka vs Maatsen — Arsenal’s main threat vs Villa’s attacking fullback.
Rogers vs Partey/Zubimendi — Villa’s breakout star finding space in the “hole”.
Martinez vs The Emirates Crowd — The former Gunner always relishes the villain role.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Spotlight Players

Arsenal — Bukayo Saka

In big games, Arsenal turn to their Starboy. With the title race tightening, Saka’s ability to isolate defenders and create magic is Arsenal’s best route to breaking down a confident Villa side.

Aston Villa — Emiliano Buendia

Whether he starts or comes off the bench, the Argentine loves playing Arsenal. He scored the winner on Dec 6th and his creativity in tight spaces could be the difference again.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa — Prediction

Arsenal 2–2 Aston Villa

This has all the makings of a Premier League classic. Arsenal are formidable at home, but Villa are currently the most confident team in Europe. Emery seems to have Arteta’s number recently (winning 3 of the last 5 H2H). Expect goals, drama, and the points to be shared in a thrilling draw that keeps the title race razor-thin.