Arsenal vs Aston Villa Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW19)
A consequential clash of title contenders headlines Premier League Gameweek 19 as first-place Arsenal host third-place Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, with just three points separating the sides.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will look to keep his side atop the Premier League table and potentially open a gap between the Gunners and second-place Manchester City.
Aston Villa, led by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, continue to impress as one of the league's most consistent teams this season. The Villans enter on an unlikely title push and are also tied at the top of their Europa League group with 15 points.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Tuesday's Arsenal vs. Aston Villa match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Tuesday, December 30 at 3:15PM ET/12:15 PM PT
US schedule (English)
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: Peacock/NBC Sports app
US schedule (Spanish)
- TV Channel: Telemundo Deportes/Universo
UK schedule
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR
- Live Stream: TNT Sports 1/TNT Sports Ultimate & Discovery+
Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Head-to-Head Record
Aston Villa and Arsenal have met 206 times, dating back to 1904 when Arsenal, then known as Woolwich Arsenal, earned a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in a League Division One matchup at Arsenal's former home, Manor Ground in Plumstead.
The Gunners lead the all-time series, winning 88 times and drawing on 46 occasions.
Across the last 10 Premier League meetings between the sides, Aston Villa hold a slight edge with five wins and one draw.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Which Arsenal goalkeeper recorded a clean sheet in the Gunners' 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in the 2015 FA Cup Final?
Gameweek 18 Trivia: Which Chelsea player scored the game-winning penalty kick in Chelsea's 1-1 (6-5) win over Emery's Villarreal in their 2021 UEFA Super Cup match?
Betting Odds and Predictions for Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: ARS -195 Draw +330, AVL +550
FanDuel: ARS -220 Draw +340, AVL +600
BetMGM: ARS -200 Draw +320, AVL +550
Bet365: ARS -209 Draw +333, AVL +550
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Arsenal (WWWWW) have won each of their five fixtures since falling to Aston Villa in the reverse fixture on Dec. 6. Across the five-match stretch, the Gunners have gone top of the Champions League table by virtue of a win over Club Brugge and advanced to the EFL Cup Semifinals versus Chelsea after dispatching Crystal Palace in a penalty shootout.
Aston Villa (WWWWW) have won 10 successive Premier League matches and 11 consecutive matches across all competitions, dating back to the beginning of November. Over the 11-match unbeaten run, nine of the Villans' 11 wins have been decided by a single goal, despite Emery's men having scored multiple goals in 10 of the 11 fixtures.
FORMATIONS
Arsenal have worked to perfect their high-possession system, predicated upon size and strength at center-forward and in the midfield. Expect Arteta to use a base 4-2-3-1 formation, giving his team the ability to control the ball and push forward in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
Aston Villa are well-drilled in Emery's 4-2-3-1 formation and the nuances the head coach incorporates. Emery will play his midfielders deeper when absorbing the press in an effort to create vertical passing lanes. When the Villans are in the attacking-third, expect to see the ball move centrally as they seek to create spaces for Ollie Watkins via quick passes. As the Villans transition to defense, look for an aggressive press while their midfield attempts to disrupt the rhythm of the opponent build-up.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal Injury News & Lineup Notes
The Gunners enter the fixture thin in their defensive ranks but with a key attacker nearing his return.
Defensively, Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) and Ben White (hamstring) have each been ruled out for the fixture. Mosquera was removed from Arsenal's first December fixture versus Brentford after just 44 minutes and is not expected back until 2026, when he will presumably fill a rotational role. White was removed after just 31 minutes of play in Arsenal's Dec. 20 victory over Wolverhampton. White's absence leaves Arteta without a natural backup to right full-back Jurrien Timber.
Adding insult to injury across the backline, Timber (undisclosed) missed Arsenal's previous matchup versus Brighton and is uncertain for Tuesday's high-octane clash. Lastly, Riccardo Calafiori (undisclosed) was scratched after suffering an injury during warmups ahead of Arsenal's victory over the Seagulls and is also questionable to return versus Villa.
If Arteta is left with no other options at right full-back, look for Declan Rice to again deputize in the role as he did versus Brighton. With Calafiori likely sidelined, anticipate Myles Lewis-Skelly to earn his second successive start at left full-back. Mosquera's injury and resulting absence will likely sting less as the Gunners have recently returned William Saliba and Gabriel to full fitness.
In attack, Kai Havertz (knee) is expected to make his long-awaited return. Havertz has been on the shelf since he logged 31 minutes off the bench in the season-opening win over Manchester United on Aug. 17. Expect the attacker to be eased back into action from the substitute's bench.
Teenage sensation Max Dowman (ankle) is a long-term absence after suffering an ankle ligament injury. Dowman is not likely to return before mid-February 2026.
Aston Villa Injury News & Lineup Notes
Emery is being forced to cope with suspension and injuries across his midfield and defensive ranks while also missing a depth option in attack.
Boubacar Kamara (suspension) and Matty Cash (suspension) will each be sidelined Tuesday after each received their fifth yellow card of the campaign in Villa's victory over Chelsea.
Ross Barkley (knee) is out after suffering a knee injury during Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Wolves in November, according to manager Unai Emery. "Ruled out as well is Ross, his injury is more than we expected. I don't know exactly, but maybe 8-10-12 weeks. Hopefully a little bit less." Barkley was filling a super-substitute role for the Villans, and his minutes have largely been absorbed by fellow midfielder Emiliano Buendia.
Defenders Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and Pau Torres (calf) are each not expected to be available for Tuesday's tilt at the Emirates.
Mings suffered an injury in early Nov. and is not expected back until 2026 with head coach Unai Emery stating, "Tyrone is not available until, more or less, one month more." Torres was removed prematurely from Villa's previous victory over Arsenal and is still a few weeks from a return. According to manager Unai Emery, "Pau, more or less, the same; one week or two weeks, something like that."
In the absence of the veteran defenders, Ezri Konsa and Victor Lindelof have received the majority of minutes in central defence.
Lastly, depth option Evann Guessand is unavailable as he represents Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
KEY MATCHUPS
Bukayo Saka versus Lucas Digne or Ian Maatsen
Saka is a winger who is perpetually in form, and his most recent two performances should be viewed akin to a spaceship preparing for liftoff. The England international has attempted 11 shots (three on goal), created three chances, whipped-in 12 crosses (three accurate) and produced six corners across his last two appearances (two starts) while assisting once.
In Villa's weekend victory, Digne played just seven minutes behind the starter Maatsen, perhaps with an eye on keeping the veteran fresh for a matchup with Saka. However, as he did in the reverse fixture, Emery could prefer the pace and agility of Maatsen over Digne in an effort to contain Saka.
Regardless of Emery's team selection, expect Arteta to formulate a game-plan that quickly and regularly reverses the ball from the right to Saka on the left in an effort to create one-on-one attacking situations from the wing. I back Saka for multiple shot attempts on goal Tuesday.
Morgan Rogers versus Arsenal Right Full-back
Rogers is on a blistering run of form that has seen the attacker score four goals, assist once and create three chances from 15 shots (six on goal) across his last five Premier League appearances (five starts). Given the attrition on the right side of the Gunners' backline, expect Emery to devise tactics by which he is able to create one-on-one attacking situations for Rogers on Villa's attacking left flank.
As the fixture enters the waning stages, look for Rogers to capitalize on signs of withering energy from the Arsenal right full-back. Five of his seven goals this season have come in the second half.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Eberechi Eze has watched Arsenal's last two league fixtures from the bench as club captain Martin Odegaard reclaimed his attacking midfield role in Arteta's starting XI. Given the congested run of fixtures, anticipate Arteta rotating his squad to keep Odegaard fit and sharpen his squad's depth.
In a matchup of contrasting styles which is likely to see the Gunners in possession for the majority of the fixture while Villa absorb pressure, Eze's ability to break lines when receiving and making passes in the final-third is likely to have a direct result as to whether Arsenal break down a stingy Aston Villa defensive unit that has averaged just 1.05 goals conceded per fixture through 18 league matchups.
RESULT
Arsenal 2 - Aston Villa 0
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Arsenal: Jan. 3 at Bournemouth
Aston Villa: Jan. 3 vs. Nottingham Forest
