The Premier League’s Saturday lunchtime slot is set for fireworks as Aston Villa host Arsenal at Villa Park on December 6, 2025. With the Gunners perched at the top of the table and the Villans riding an unstoppable wave of form in third place, this top-of-the-table showdown could define the title race. Unai Emery, Arsenal’s former boss, faces Mikel Arteta’s side in a battle of tactical masterminds. In this Aston Villa vs Arsenal match preview, we’ll dive into recent form, potential lineups, and our score predictions to help you gear up for kick-off at 12:30 GMT.
Recent Form
Aston Villa are the form team of the Premier League, unbeaten in their last nine league games and winners of eight straight. Their latest thriller—a 4-3 comeback victory at Brighton—highlighted their resilience, with Ollie Watkins netting a brace, Amadou Onana and Donyell Malen also on the scoresheet. Unai Emery’s men have climbed to third with 27 points from 14 games, just six behind leaders Arsenal and one off Manchester City. At home, Villa boast five straight wins, conceding only three goals in eight matches. Their Europa League campaign adds to the momentum, sitting second in their group with 12 points.
Arsenal, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions since August, including a gritty 2-0 midweek win over Brentford thanks to headers from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka. The Gunners lead the table with 33 points, having won 10 of 14 league outings and shipped just seven goals—the stingiest defense in the division. Away from home, they’re undefeated in eight, but this trip to Villa Park tests their mettle against Emery’s high-pressing machine.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martínez remains sidelined with a back injury, paving the way for Maarten Bizot in goal. The rest of the squad is firing on all cylinders, with Watkins in red-hot form (two goals midweek) and Morgan Rogers contributing two in his last five.
Predicted XI: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Buendía, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins
Arsenal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
Mikel Arteta faces a defensive headache: Gabriel (thigh) and Kai Havertz (knee) are out, while William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), and Leandro Trossard are doubts. Declan Rice shook off a calf knock and should start, with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze returning. Merino’s five goals this season make him a focal point up top.
Predicted XI: Raya; White, Timber, Hincapié, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Merino, Eze
Score Predictions
This Aston Villa vs Arsenal prediction leans toward a cagey contest, given Arsenal’s defensive prowess and Villa’s home resilience. The Gunners’ unbeaten streak (18 games) meets Villa’s eight-game home win run—someone’s record falls. Eight of Villa’s last nine wins have seen over 2.5 goals, but Arsenal’s away clean sheets suggest control.
Our Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
