Predicted Starting Lineups and Team News
Aston Villa and Arsenal face off in the Premier League at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime, with both teams looking to continue their excellent momentum.
Unai Emery’s side came back from 2-0 down to claim an excellent 4-3 win over Brighton in midweek, putting them five points behind the league leaders. Mikel Arteta’s side bounced back from a draw against Chelsea to claim a comfortable 2-0 home win over Brentford and stay top of the division.
Both teams have injury issues to sort out before the match, and that is how GIVEMESPORT expects the teams to line up.
Aston Villa team news
Villa are in fantastic form ahead of this match, but could be without first-choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez after he pulled out during the midweek warm-up due to lower back pain.
Tyrone Mings is out with a hamstring injury, which will likely rule him out until the new year, while midfielder Ross Barkley has been ruled out for 8-12 weeks with a knee problem. Ollie Watkins is suffering from a knee injury but is expected to start after scoring twice against Brighton.
Aston Villa Injuries and Suspensions | ||
|---|---|---|
Player | Injury Advertisements
| Potential return date |
Ross Barkley | Knee | 02/03/2026 Advertisements
|
Tyrone Mings | Tendon | 02/01/2026 |
Emi Martinez | Back | 06/12/2025 |
Emery drops update on team news
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Emery provided an update on his team ahead of the match.
“We will train this afternoon, he (Martinez) didn’t train yesterday, but it’s very important for him how he spends the hours feeling better.
“Until the last moment, I don’t know if he will be available or not for tomorrow.”
Aston Villa predicted XI
- Predicted Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
- Substitutes planned by Aston Villa: Bizot (GK), Lindelof (DEF), Maatsen (DEF), Garcia (DEF), Bogarde (MID), Onana (MID), Sancho (FWD), Malen (FWD), Guessand (FWD).
Villa will hope to be able to recall Martinez into the starting line-up against his former club, while Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne are also expected to return after being rested in midweek.
This should see £425,000-a-week duo Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana named on the bench to provide depth, while Harvey Elliott is unlikely to be in the squad again.
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Arsenal team news
The Gunners have had a fantastic season so far and are five points clear at the top of the table, but they are now facing a number of injury problems in defence.
Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to miss several weeks with a groin injury sustained on international duty, while his central partner William Saliba is struggling with a problem but could return, as can Leandro Trossard. Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera were forced off injured against Brentford and are doubtful, while Kai Havertz continues to recover from a knee injury.
Injuries and suspensions at Arsenal | ||
|---|---|---|
Player | Injury | Potential return date |
Kai Havertz | Knee | 12/30/2025 |
Gabriel Magalhaes | Elder | 12/27/2025 |
William Saliba | Other | 06/12/2025 |
Léandro Trossard | Other | 06/12/2025 |
Declan Rice | Calf | 06/12/2025 |
Christian Mosquera | Knee | 06/12/2025 |
Arteta drops team news update
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Arteta shared an update on his squad ahead of the match.
“Well, let’s see (on Declan Rice). I think with all the questions, I’ll get the answer. Unfortunately, it will be the same. We have another training session in the afternoon.
“Every hour is going to be very important to see the availability of the players. So after that we will decide who will travel.
“It’s this one (Mosquera) that’s the most complicated, but again we have another test today to see where we are with them earlier this week.
“Yeah, it’s a matter of days with these two (Saliba and Trossard), that’s for sure.”
Arsenal predicted XI
- Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; White, Wood, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Merinos, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze.
- Arsenal’s planned replacements: Kepa (GK), Lewis-Skelly (DEF), Saliba (DEF), Norgaard (MID), Nwaneri (MID), Madueke (FWD), G. Jesus (FWD), Martinelli (FWD), Dowman (FWD).
With a host of injury problems and a busy schedule ahead, Arteta is unlikely to risk anyone and that could see Jurrien Timber come in at central defense with Ben White continuing at right-back. Mikel Merino could return to midfield in place of Declan Rice, which could see Viktor Gyokeres return to the fold.
This should see duo Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke named on the bench to provide depth in attack, while Rice and Trossard miss out completely.