Team news: Saka, Eze and Timber in for Villa game
The EPL weekend kicks off with a massive Saturday fixture in Aston Villa vs. Arsenal. This match will be held at Villa Park in Birmingham, where fans are hopeful of an unmissable encounter between two teams in top form.
Arsenal are second in the Premier League’s Alcohol Factor this but Aston Villa aren’t too far off. The West Midlands side have been among the form teams in the league of late. In fact, of all the teams in the Premier League only Villa have taken more points than Arsenal over the past six games. That’s how much better Unai Emery’s team have become since a belated start to the 2025–26 season.
Villa’s most recent victory got here in dramatic style. They beat Brighton & Hove Albion, 4-3, on Wednesday night. It was their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions, and it vaulted them into third place in the Premier League. They are now only six points behind Arsenal. That means a victory on Saturday closes the gap further, and could rock the title race.
Arsenal also won handily in midweek. Mikel Arteta’s team won 2–0 at Brentford after slipping up at Chelsea the weekend before. The win allowed the Gunners to hold on to first place, and they are undefeated in league play since falling by 1–0 at Anfield back in August. Arsenal are confident but they know it won’t be a walk in the park.
These teams have history. Arsenal have had a tough time against Emery’s Villa in recent years. The Gunners have lost one of their last four meetings. Some fans remain convinced the horrendous results against Villa cost them the Premier League in 2023-24. As a result, Arsenal fans appreciate the significance of this game.
There will even be significant onlookers from the watching Manchester City. City will hope that Villa can do them a favour, as they have in the past. Should Villa secure a fifth successive league victory, then they could rise to as high as second and pile the pressure on Arsenal. That just heaps on added drama to this Aston Villa vs. Arsenal clash.
Match Details: Aston Villa vs Arsenal
- Location: Birmingham, England
- Stadium: Villa Park
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Kick-off: 12.30pm BST / 7.30am ET / 4.30am PT
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- VAR: Darren England
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
- Aston Villa: 2 wins
- Arsenal: 2 wins
- Draws: 1
- Previous Metting: Arsenal 2–2 Aston Villa (Jan. 18, 2025)
The head-to-head results indicate how well-matched these two teams are. Both of them have won two games apiece in their five most recent encounters. The most recent match was a 2-2 draw in January, so clearly goals and action are normal when these two teams meet.
Current Form (All Competitions)
Aston Villa’s Recent Results
- Brighton 3-4 Aston Villa – December 3rd, 1925
- Aston Villa 1-0 Wolves -30/11/25
- Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys – 27/11/25
- Leeds 1-2 Aston Villa – 23/11/25
- Aston Villa 4-0 Bournemouth – Sutton’s prediction Aston Villa got a superb victory last weekend against Norwich and they are back on track.
Arsenal’s Recent Results
- Arsenal 2–0 Brentford – 03/12/25
- Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal – 30/11/25
- Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich – November 26, 25
- Arsenal 4–1 Tottenham – 23/11/25
- Sunderland 2–2 Arsenal – 08/11/25
Both teams enter play having been among the league’s best of late. Villa are now on a six-game winning run. Arsenal have been unbeaten in the Premier League for months and they’ve taken crucial wins in the Champions League, too.
How to watch Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
United Kingdom
- discovery+
- discovery+ App
- TNT Sports 1
- TNT Sports Ultimate
United States
Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
NBC Sports App
nbcsports.com
UNIVERSO NOW
USA Network
UNIVERSO
Canada
DAZN Canada
fuboTV Canada
Fubo Sports Network 2 Canada
Mexico
Local broadcast and streaming information for each team can be found here.
Team News and Expected Lineups
There was a shock goalkeeper change for Aston Villa in the Brighton game. Emiliano Martínez was missing coverage with a back problem. Marco Bizot played instead. Now Martínez is racing to be fit for Saturday’s game against his old club. Villa would like to have him back, because he is an important part of their defense.
Villa will be missing Tyrone Mings who has been sidelined for an extended period with injury. And Ross Barkley is also carrying a knock and could find himself on the bench. Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans should start after being rested in the week but Jamie Vardy remains sidelined. They will add depth to Villa’s midfield and left side.
Villa’s www’em one of Villa’s best players Ollie Watkins will be one of Villa’s most pivotal players. He’s scored against Arsenal before, and he finally got one past a Premier League keeper this week. His pace and mobility is going to be a real test for the Arsenal backline.
Most of the players who beat Brentford are likely to remain at Arsenal. Their squad is in good shape. Arteta will depend on his attacking gems, in great form. Arsenal will have to be quick in midfield and slick at the back to halt Villa’s high-octane style.
Final Thoughts
One of the weekend’s most intriguing matches is Aston Villa vs. Arsenal. Either side will have confidence. Villa the to keep up this incredible run. Arsenal are keen to continue their league leading form. With big players on both sides and so much at stake, expectations are high for an exciting contest at Villa Park.
This early Saturday afternoon encounter could have plenty of bearing on the Premier League title race. Villa fan – check. Arsenal fan – check hmmm, or just love football then look no further than below!
