The Gunners showed their mettle by battling back to secure a draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, while Villa secured a victory in Europa Conference League action against Lille.
Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final night at the Emirates was a memorable affair, showcasing Mikel Arteta's in-form team against European giants Bayern Munich in a thrilling four-goal encounter.
Bukayo Saka, who recently scored against Brighton, once again rose to the occasion by giving Arsenal the lead against Bayern. Despite a late equalizer from Leandro Trossard, the Gunners displayed resilience, setting the stage for their upcoming title race in the Premier League.
Since their solid defensive performance against Manchester City, Arsenal has been displaying flamboyant football, with convincing wins against Luton Town and Brighton. They now seek revenge for their earlier defeat against Villa, a match where John McGinn's early goal condemned them to their second league loss of the season.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa, eyeing their first major trophy since 1996, demonstrated their prowess by defeating Lille in the Conference League quarter-final. Ollie Watkins, a key player for Villa, scored in their recent victory, adding to his impressive tally of 25 goals this season.
Villa's recent league form has seen them slip from fourth place after collecting just one point from their last two matches. However, they remain a formidable opponent, with Watkins leading their attacking line.
While Arsenal has enjoyed success in recent home fixtures against Villa, the visitors have also had their moments, notably in their victory at the Emirates in November 2020. As the two teams clash once again, both will be eager to secure vital points in their respective campaigns.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Gabriel, who had an injury scare at Brighton last weekend, was fit to play the full game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The Brazilian is expected to partner with Frenchman William Saliba in Arsenal's defense once again.Struggling against the likes of Leroy Sane and goal scorer Serge Gnabry, Jakub Kiwior was substituted at halftime during Tuesday's match. It's unlikely that he'll start at left-back against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced Kiwior in the second half, but it's possible that the versatile Takehiro Tomiyasu could fill in at left-back for this upcoming game.
Arsenal's medical room is nearly empty, with only Jurrien Timber still undergoing first-team training after a serious knee injury. However, he's not yet fit enough to return to Premier League action.
Douglas Luiz received his 10th caution of the season against Brentford, leading to a two-match suspension. With Luiz out, John McGinn will need a new midfield partner, possibly young Tim Iroegbunam.
Emery's midfield options are further limited by the injuries of Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey, who are both sidelined with knee and foot problems, respectively.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Arsenal possible starting lineup:Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans, Iroegbunam; Bailey, Rogers, Watkins
EXPERT PREDICTION
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
Having had two extra days to recover from their European fixture, Arsenal is well-positioned to regain their position at the top of the Premier League, especially after Manchester City and Liverpool play earlier in the weekend.
While Aston Villa posed a challenge for Manchester City in the early stages of their recent encounter at the Etihad, without Luiz in their midfield, we anticipate that the visitors will struggle and likely suffer a defeat.
