English Premier League : Arsenal vs Aston Villa preview 01/18/2025
Arsenal is set to face Aston Villa in a Premier League clash on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium in London. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:30 GMT (12:30 PM ET).
Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal enters this fixture following a 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, which has bolstered their position in the league standings. However, the Gunners are contending with injuries to key players, including forward Gabriel Jesus and winger Bukayo Saka, which may impact their attacking options.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa recently secured a 1-0 win over Everton, breaking a five-game winless streak. The team has been strengthened by the signing of winger Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, who could make his debut in this match. However, midfielders John McGinn and Ross Barkley remain sidelined due to injuries.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Kieran Tierney
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Leandro Trossard, Martin Ødegaard, Emile Smith Rowe
Forward: Eddie Nketiah
Aston Villa (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
Defenders: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne
Midfielders: Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey
Forwards: Donyell Malen, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey
Playing Ground
The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal's home ground in North London. Known for its modern facilities and a seating capacity of over 60,000, the Emirates provides an electric atmosphere for home fixtures.
Head-to-Head
Historically, Arsenal has had the upper hand in encounters with Aston Villa. In their last 47 meetings, Arsenal secured 30 victories, while Aston Villa won 8 times, and 9 matches ended in a draw. On average, these matches have produced 2.81 goals per game.
FC TABLES
Recent Form
Arsenal
Arsenal's recent form has been mixed. Despite a crucial win against Tottenham, they suffered back-to-back defeats in cup competitions. In the Premier League, they remain strong at home, having won 7 out of 10 matches at the Emirates this season.
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Aston Villa
Aston Villa's form has been inconsistent. Their recent victory over Everton ended a winless streak, and they have shown resilience in away fixtures, winning 4 out of 10 on the road this season.
Tactical Analysis
Arsenal
Manager Mikel Arteta is likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on maintaining possession and exploiting the flanks. The absence of key attackers may see Leandro Trossard and Emile Smith Rowe taking on more significant roles in creating scoring opportunities.
Aston Villa
Under the guidance of Unai Emery, Aston Villa may opt for a 4-3-3 setup, aiming to leverage the pace of their forwards on counter-attacks. The potential debut of Donyell Malen adds a new dimension to their offensive strategy.
Prediction
Considering Arsenal's strong home record and overall superior head-to-head performance, they are favored to secure a victory. However, Aston Villa's recent boost in confidence and the introduction of new talent could make for a competitive match. A 2-1 win for Arsenal is a plausible outcome.