Unai Emery has confirmed a significantly altered Aston Villa starting eleven for their crucial Premier League encounter with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
Five changes for Villa as key players return
The Villa boss has made five alterations to the side that secured a 2-1 victory at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Coming into the team are Lamare Bogarde, Lucas Digne, Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho, and Ollie Watkins.
These changes are partly enforced, with Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash both suspended after receiving their fifth yellow cards of the season during the weekend's match. Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, and Donyell Malen are the players to make way, taking their places on the substitutes' bench.
Villa's starting lineup and formation
Emi Martinez continues in goal, protected by a back four of Bogarde, Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelof, and the returning Digne. In midfield, Onana partners Youri Tielemans, with Emi Buendia operating in the advanced number ten role.
The major attacking news sees Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers providing the width and support for central striker Ollie Watkins. This lineup demonstrates Emery's intent to attack the league leaders on their own patch.
Villa chase history against in-form Gunners
The visitors arrive in North London with formidable momentum, targeting a club-record 12th consecutive victory across all competitions. Their recent form against Arsenal on the road will also provide confidence.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last two Premier League visits to the Emirates, having won 2-0 in April 2024 and drawn 2-2 in January of the previous season. They have not enjoyed a longer unbeaten run away to Arsenal since a spell between 2006 and 2009.
Standing in their way is a formidable opponent. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side currently tops the table and is undefeated in their last 15 home league matches. However, Villa sit just three points behind the Gunners, turning this fixture into a pivotal clash in the title race.
Aston Villa starting XI: Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Sancho, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins.
Substitutes: Bizot, Wright, Maatsen, Garcia, Routh, Hemmings, McGinn, Malen, Jimoh-Aloba.
