Match Overview

Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in a high-stakes Premier League clash. The reverse meeting on December 6 ended 2-1 to Villa, adding extra edge to this rematch. Arsenal’s strong home output contrasts with Villa’s recent scoring streak, setting up a balanced contest. With the top of the table in sight for both, fine margins should decide it.

• Fixture: Arsenal vs Aston Villa
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: Emirates Stadium
• Date: 30-12-2025
• Kickoff: 20:15 GMT / 20:15 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal

• David Raya (Goalkeeper)
• R. Calafiori (Defender)
• J. Timber (Defender)
• W. Saliba (Defender)
• Gabriel Magalhães (Defender)
• D. Rice (Midfielder)
• Martín Zubimendi (Midfielder)
• M. Ødegaard (Midfielder)
• Mikel Merino (Midfielder)
• V. Gyokeres (Attacker)
• B. Saka (Attacker)

Aston Villa

• E. Martínez (Goalkeeper)
• M. Cash (Defender)
• E. Konsa (Defender)
• I. Maatsen (Defender)
• L. Digne (Defender)
• J. McGinn (Midfielder)
• M. Rogers (Midfielder)
• B. Kamara (Midfielder)
• A. Onana (Midfielder)
• O. Watkins (Attacker)
• D. Malen (Attacker)

Injury & Suspension Report

Arsenal

• Cristhian Mosquera – Ankle Injury
• M. Dowman – Ankle Injury
• B. White – Hamstring Injury
• J. Timber – Injury

Aston Villa

• H. Elliott – Illness
• T. Mings – Hamstring Injury
• Pau Torres – Calf Injury
• R. Barkley – Knee Injury
• M. Cash – Yellow Cards
• B. Kamara – Yellow Cards
• E. Guessand – International duty

Head-to-Head

Across 189 meetings, Arsenal have 82 wins, Aston Villa have 67, and 40 have ended level. The recent trend points to competitive scorelines, with games averaging just under three goals. Villa won the last clash 2-1 on December 6.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Arsenal’s home form has been efficient and controlled, with 13 goals in their last five at the Emirates. They sit top with 39 points from 17 matches (12 wins, 2 defeats), reflecting a side comfortable managing tempo and territory. Their approach relies on precise passing and structured pressing, which should test Villa’s transition game.

Bukayo Saka’s home impact

Bukayo Saka’s six home goals highlight Arsenal’s primary threat from wide areas. With M. Ødegaard providing craft between the lines and the midfield axis of D. Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino offering stability, Saka and V. Gyokeres can attack the spaces behind Villa’s back line. If Arsenal sustain pressure and maintain clean build-up through W. Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, they can create repeat entries into the final third.

M. Rogers’ influence for Villa

Aston Villa have scored 12 times across their last five matches. M. Rogers shaped their recent 2-1 win over Manchester United with a brace, and his timing around the box adds another outlet beyond O. Watkins and D. Malen. With J. McGinn, B. Kamara and A. Onana in midfield plus width from M. Cash, I. Maatsen and L. Digne, Villa can counter quickly and exploit turnovers if Arsenal commit numbers forward.

Villa’s push toward the top

Villa are third on 36 points from 17 games (11 wins, three draws and three losses) and arrive on a five-match winning run. The December 6 victory over Arsenal shows they can manage this matchup, but sustaining that level away will require discipline against sustained pressure. The first goal could be decisive given how both teams control phases once ahead.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa. Home control and Saka’s end product give Arsenal a slight edge, though Villa’s counter threat should keep it close.