Sports
Predicted Starting Lineups and Team News
Aston Villa and Arsenal will go head-to-head in the Premier League at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime, with both teams looking to continue their excellent momentum.
Unai Emery’s side came from 2-0 down to claim an excellent 4-3 win over Brighton in midweek, putting them five points off the league leaders. Mikel Arteta’s side bounced back from a draw with Chelsea to claim a comfortable 2-0 home win over Brentford and stay top of the division.
Both teams have got some injury concerns to deal with heading into the game, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the sides to line up.
Aston Villa Team News
Villa are in fantastic form heading into this game, but could be without first-choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez after he pulled out during the warm-up in midweek with lower back pain.
Tyrone Mings is absent with a hamstring injury, which is likely to 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 managing a knee injury, but should start after netting twice against Brighton.
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Aston Villa Injuries and Suspensions |
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|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Ross Barkley |
Knee |
03/02/2026 |
|
Tyrone Mings |
Hamstring |
02/01/2026 |
|
Emi Martinez |
Back |
06/12/2025 |
Emery Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Emery shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“We will train this afternoon, he [Martinez] didn’t train yesterday, but it’s very important for him, how he is passing the hours feeling better.
“Until the last moment, I don’t know if he’s going to be available or not for tomorrow.”
Aston Villa Predicted XI
- Aston Villa Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
- Aston Villa Predicted Substitutes: Bizot (GK), Lindelof (DEF), Maatsen (DEF), Garcia (DEF), Bogarde (MID), Onana (MID), Sancho (FWD), Malen (FWD), Guessand (FWD).
Villa will be hopeful that they can recall Martinez to the starting lineup against his former club, while Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne should also come back in after being rested in midweek.
That 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 once again.
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Arsenal Team News
The Gunners have had a fantastic season so far and come into this five points clear at the top of the table, but they are now dealing with a number of injury issues in defence.
Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to miss several weeks with a groin injury picked up on international duty, while centre-back partner William Saliba is dealing with a niggle but could return, as could Leandro Trossard. Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera were forced off injured against Brentford and are doubtful, while Kai Havertz continues his recovery from a knee injury.
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Arsenal Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Kai Havertz |
Knee |
30/12/2025 |
|
Gabriel Magalhaes |
Groin |
27/12/2025 |
|
William Saliba |
Other |
06/12/2025 |
|
Leandro Trossard |
Other |
06/12/2025 |
|
Declan Rice |
Calf |
06/12/2025 |
|
Cristhian Mosquera |
Knee |
06/12/2025 |
Arteta Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“Well, let’s see (on Declan Rice). I think with all the questions I’m gonna get the answer. Unfortunately, it’s going to 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’ll decide who travels.
“That’s the one [Mosquera] that is more complicated, but again, we have another test today to see where we are with them earlier on this week. “Yeah, it is a matter of days with those two (Saliba and Trossard) for sure.”
Arsenal Predicted XI
- Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; White, Timber, Hincapie, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze.
- Arsenal Predicted Substitutes: 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 issues and a busy schedule to come, Arteta is unlikely to risk anyone and that could see Jurrien Timber come into central defence with Ben White continuing at right-back. Mikel Merino could return to midfield in place of Declan Rice, which could see Viktor Gyokeres come back into the fold.
That should see £517,000-a-week duo Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke named on the bench to offer depth in attack, while Rice and Trossard miss out entirely.
