Aston Villa vs Arsenal preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

A familiar foe awaits Arsenal at Saturday lunchtime as the Gunners take on Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Appointed as Arsene Wenger’s successor, Emery’s stint as boss started promisingly before he was dismissed in his second season following a poor string of results. While his reign wasn’t disastrous, it’s a period that isn’t looked back upon fondly by Arsenal supporters.

Nevertheless, Emery has continued to prove his credentials elsewhere and he’ll be determined to get one over his former employers on Saturday.

Arsenal are in a bit of a rut and they head into the weekend’s clash winless in four games. They were beaten in Wednesday’s huge top-of-the-table bout against Manchester City and relinquished their spot at the Premier League summit as a result.

This is a huge game for Mikel Arteta’s side. 

Aston Villa vs Arsenal preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Here’s our preview of the Gunners’ trip to Villa Park.

How to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal on TV

When is kick-off? Saturday 18 February

What time is kick-off? 12:30 (BST)

Where is it played? Emirates Stadium

TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 1 (UK), fuboTV (Canada), USA Network (US)

Referee? Simon Hooper

Aston Villa team news

Diego Carlos and Jed Steer remain out for the home side, but Tyrone Mings should return to the fold after missing last Sunday’s defeat at City.

Bertrand Traore is also back fit and could make a start.

Emery has a big decision to make at left-back with Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno both vying for a starting berth. The former played poorly at the Etihad, while Moreno has struggled to get going since his January move.

We should see Emery change tack for this home fixture and ditch the narrow 4-2-2-2 used last Sunday.

Arsenal team news

Thomas Partey missed Wednesday’s defeat with a muscular injury and while his issue isn’t believed to be serious, it’d be a surprise to see him start at Villa Park. Thus, Jorginho should continue at the base of midfield.

Emile Smith Rowe could return to the matchday squad after another spell out, while Leandro Trossard will surely replace Gabriel Martinelli in the XI after the Brazilian endured yet another quiet outing.

Ben White will be expected to come back in for Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal predicted lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Bailey.

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard.

Aston Villa’s recent form

Man City 3-1 Aston Villa (12/02) – Premier League

Aston Villa 2-4 Leicester City (04/02) – Premier League

Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa (21/01) – Premier League

Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds United (13/01) – Premier League

Aston Villa 1-2 Stevenage (08/01) – FA Cup

Arsenal’s recent form

Arsenal 1-3 Man City (15/02) – Premier League

Arsenal 1-1 Brentford (11/02) – Premier League

Everton 1-0 Arsenal (04/02) – Premier League

Man City 1-0 Arsenal (27/01) – FA Cup

Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd (22/01) – Premier League

Prediction

Emery’s Villa have been rather unpredictable in how they set up. There’s no doubt the pragmatic Spaniard will have prepared rigorously for this encounter and I expect Villa to frustrate Arsenal similarly to how Everton did with a 4-5-1 midblock.

The former Arsenal boss is an astute coach, and he’ll surely use Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche’s blueprint for slowing the Gunners down.

Thus, I don’t envisage Saturday’s bout being particularly entertaining. Villa will sit in and attempt to counter through the likes of Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey. In Thomas Partey’s potential absence, Arsenal could struggle in defensive transition.

This is another tricky game for Arteta’s side, and I think it could end in a stalemate.

Prediction: Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal