Aston Villa vs Arsenal Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW15)
Villa Park will be the stage for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash as Arsenal travel north to Birmingham for a showdown with Aston Villa, with just six points separating the clubs after 14 matches.
Aston Villa have surged up the Premier League table thanks to a prolific attack. During their current four-match league winning streak, Unai Emery's side are averaging 2.75 goals per match.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal enter in exceptional form, unbeaten in their last 18 matches across all competitions. The Gunners' only defeat this season came back in Gameweek 2 against Liverpool.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Saturday's Aston Villa vs. Arsenal match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 AM ET/4:30 AM PT
US schedule
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: NBC.com
UK schedule
- TV Channel: TNT Sports 1
- Live Stream: Discovery+ app and website
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal Head-to-Head Record
Aston Villa and Arsenal have met 205 times, dating back to 1904 when Arsenal, then known as Woolwich Arsenal, earned a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in an League Division One matchup at Arsenal's former home, Manor Ground in Plumstead.
The Gunners lead the all-time series, winning 88 times and drawing on 46 occasions.
Across the last 10 Premier League meetings between the sides, Arsenal hold a slight edge with five wins and one draw.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Who was the goalkeeper that secured a clean sheet in Arsenal's 4-0 FA Cup Final victory over Aston Villa in 2015?
Gameweek 14 Trivia: Who was the only player to score from open play in Brighton & Aston Villa's most recent League Championship matchup in 2017?
Betting Odds and Predictions for Aston Villa vs. Arsenal Match
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: AVL +320 Draw +250, ARS -110
FanDuel: AVL +330 Draw +250, ARS -115
BetMGM: AVL +300 Draw +240, ARS -110
Bet365: AVL +310 Draw +250, ARS -110
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Aston Villa (WWWWW) have won six successive fixtures across all competitions. The Villan's boast the third-best defensive record in the Premier League and have allowed one goal or less in 11 of their 14 domestic fixtures.
Arsenal (WDWWD) have earned 11 points from their last five Premier League matches (three wins, two draws). Arteta's setup has been nigh unbeatable as the Gunners have conceded just seven times across 14 matches in their quest to threaten Chelsea's 2004/05 squad for the record of fewest goals allowed in a single Premier League campaign.
FORMATIONS
Aston Villa are well-drilled in Emery's 4-2-3-1 formation and the nuances the head coach incorporates. Emery will play his midfielders deeper when absorbing the press in an effort to create vertical passing lanes. When the Villans are in the attacking-third, expect to see the ball move centrally as they seek to create spaces for Ollie Watkins via quick passes. As the Villans transition to defense, look for an aggressive press while their midfield attempts to disrupt the rhythm of the opponent build-up.
Arsenal have worked to perfect their high-possession system, predicated upon size and strength at center-forward and in the midfield. Expect Arteta to use a base 4-2-3-1 formation, giving his team the ability to control the ball and push forward in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Aston Villa Injury News & Lineup Notes
Emery has two long-term injuries to sort through and a question around his goalkeeper's fitness as he ponders Wednesday's starting XI.
Emiliano Martinez was a late scratch in Aston Villa's frenetic 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion after he was unable to complete pregame warmups due to back pain, according to John Townley from Birmingham Live. If Martinez is not able to recover by Saturday, expect Marco Bizot to again deputize in Martinez's place.
Ross Barkley (knee) is out after suffering a knee injury in last Sunday's 1-0 win over Wolves, according to manager Unai Emery. "Ruled out as well is Ross , his injury is more than we expected. I don't know exactly, but maybe 8-10-12 weeks. Hopefully a little bit less." Barkley was filling a super-substitute role for the Villans, and his minutes could be swept-up by fellow midfielder Emiliano Buendia.
Defender Tyrone Mings (hamstring) suffered an injury in early Nov. and is not expected back until 2026. According to manager Unai Emery. "Tyrone is not available until, more or less, one month more." In the absence of the veteran defender, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa have absorbed the majority of minutes in central defense.
Arsenal Injury News & Lineup Notes
The Gunners enter the fixture nursing a duo of long-term injuries. Kai Havertz (knee) has not played since the Gunners' opening match of the season and remains weeks away from a return, according to Mikel Arteta's press conference comments. Defender Gabriel (thigh) remains out for a matter of weeks without a definitive timetable for return after he suffered an injury while serving on international duty for Brazil.
To compound the Gunners' long-term injury woes in defense, William Saliba (undisclosed) and Cristhian Mosquera (undisclosed) each are a question mark ahead of Saturday's fixture, leaving Arsenal short on options across their backline. Saliba has missed each of Arsenal's last two fixtures due to a knock. Mosquera limped off in Arsenal's win Wednesday over Brentford after just 44 minutes and will need to be assessed further, coach Mikel Arteta intimated in a press conference.
If neither of Saliba or Mosquera are fit for Saturday's clash, expect Ben White to pair alongside Piero Hincapie in central defense, flanked by Jurrien Timber on the right and Riccardo Calafiori on the left. Alternatively, Arteta could opt to play Calafiori centrally, bumping White to the bench and opening a spot for Myles Lewis-Skelly in the left-back role.
Further up the pitch, Declan Rice (ankle) was forced off early in the Gunners' midweek matchup but, following the fixture, told Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill that he is fine and will be available when the North London club travel to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa on Saturday. Leandro Trossard (undisclosed) was not available for Wednesday's clash against Brentford, but coach Mikel Arteta suggested in his press conference that the forward is only out for a matter of days and could return for Saturday's clash against Aston Villa.
If Rice and Trossard are not fit for the fixture, Christian Norgaard could fill in alongside Martin Zubimendi in the Arsenal double-pivot while either Gabriel Martinelli or Noni Madueke assume the responsibilities on the left flank.
KEY MATCHUPS
The North Londoners hold the best defensive record in England but will have their depth tested as newcomer Hincapie will look to make his mark alongside an undetermined partner with whom he will likely have had little experience playing.
Conversely, Malen & Watkins have made 28 joint-appearances for Aston Villa and are in a strong run of form that saw the duo score three of Aston Villa's four goals in their win versus Brighton.
Considering the aforementioned attrition in central defense, look for Arsenal's full-backs to play a less-aggressive role in their build-up and attacking play as they support a presumably undermanned center-back pairing. Anticipate Arsenal's historically good defense to hold the line, even if it costs them some attacking threat.
Bukayo Saka versus Lucas Digne or Ian Maatsen
Saka has recorded at least 16 goal contributions in each of the last four Premier League seasons. In 11 career appearances against Aston Villa with Digne at left-back, Saka has recorded six goal contributions.
In Villa's midweek victory, Digne played just 20 minutes behind the starter Maatsen, perhaps with an eye on keeping the veteran fresh for a matchup with Saka. However, Emery could prefer the pace and agility of Maatsen over Digne in an effort to contain Saka.
Regardless of Emery's team selection, expect Arteta to formulate a game-plan that quickly and regularly reverses the ball from the right to Saka on the left in an effort to create one-on-one attacking situations from the wing.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Eberechi Eze is likely to be the maestro conducting the Arsenal attack Saturday, particularly if Rice is limited or unavailable. The talented playmaker has created at least one chance in each of his last five appearances (four starts) while scoring three goals and assisting once. Last season with Crystal Palace, Eze scored twice and assisted twice in two league matchups versus Aston Villa.
With options like Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke to target I back Eze to continue his run of chances created Saturday and to supply an assist.
RESULT
Aston Villa 0 - Arsenal 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Aston Villa: Dec. 14 at West Ham United
Arsenal: Dec. 13 vs. Wolverhampton
