Premier League team news and prediction: Arsenal vs Aston Villa

The final Premier League game before the international break sees Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium tonight. The duo sit level on 12 points coming into the clash, albeit Arsenal having played one game more in 2020/21. 

Ahead of the meeting in north London, we have all your need-to-know match information in one place. We have you covered for team news, probable XIs and simply where and when to watch the game. 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 8th November, 19:15 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Emirates Stadium, London 

Where can I watch it? 

Sky Sports Box Office 

The Season So Far 

It's been a case of all or nothing for both Arsenal and Aston Villa this season. The pair are two of three teams yet to draw a Premier League match in 2020/21. The Gunners started the campaign with back-to-back wins, but their form has since deserted them. Indeed, Mikel Arteta has overseen a run of three defeats in the last five, however victory at Manchester United last Sunday, ending their dire run at the Premier League's 'Big Six' in the process, will have boosted morale. 

Villa sit one place above Arsenal in the table, but their recent performances has seen them drop into mid-table. The Villans were the form side in the opening weeks of the season, where they won their opening four league matches, including impressive victories over defending champions Liverpool and European chasing Leicester. Home defeats at the hands of Leeds and Southampton has brought Villa crashing back to earth and they'll seek to get back to winning ways in the capital tonight. 

Team News 

After Arsenal's impressive win at Manchester United last week, Mikel Arteta may name an unchanged starting XI for the welcome of Aston Villa, which would see Mohamed Elneny start alongside Thomas Partey in the middle of the park. Nicolas Pepe, though, could come in for Willian on the frontline. The Gunners boss remains without injured trio Pablo Martinelli, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari, with the latter due back after the international break. Reiss Nelson is a doubt for Arteta as his injury woes ease. 

Dean Smith may resist the temptation to make wholesale changes to his favoured XI despite back-to-back defeats as he looks to name a consistent XI. Wesley and summer signing Bertrand Traore are ruled out of the trip to the Emirates, while Tom Heaton is back in training. The former Burnley man is unlikely to have started if fit, however, nor would Kortney Hause, who will be assessed. 

Probable XIs

Arsenal (343) - Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Bellerin, Partey, Elneny, Saka; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

Aston Villa (4231) - Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Grealish, Barkley, Trezeguet; Watkins

Key Battle - Bernd Leno vs Emiliano Martinez

A nice sub-plot to Sunday's clash sees Bernd Leno seeking to get the better of former Arsenal teammate Emiliano Martinez. Leno boasts the second best save success rate (75%) in the Premier League this season coming into Sunday's round of games, though many an Arsenal fan believe the club were too hasty to cash in on Martinez.

The Argentine has kept three clean sheets in his opening six league outings for his new team and will be looking to prove that his former employers were too quick to sell to a Premier League rival. Martinez has helped strengthen a Villa backline that conceded the second most goals (67) in the Premier League last season and if the Villans are to come away from the Emirates with a positive result, then the 28-year-old shotstopper will be vital on his former stomping ground.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa