Aston Villa vs Arsenal live: Rice begins as injury-plagued Gunners aim to sustain lead in Premier League standings

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Arteta praises ‘immense' Merino in victory over Brentford

Arsenal head to the midlands to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The Gunners enter this match sitting at the top of the table, five points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Chelsea, Mikel Arteta saw his team bounce back with a solid 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday.

Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka found the net as Arsenal secured their 10th league victory, firmly establishing their title credentials. However, injuries took a toll during the match, as Cristhian Mosquera joined Gabriel and William Saliba on the sidelines, raising concerns over Declan Rice, who left the pitch late with a calf issue.

They face a challenge against Unai Emery’s Villa. The team is coming off a thrilling 4-3 win over Brighton, placing them in the top three. With a home fixture advantage, they could pose a significant threat to the Gunners. Villa has won their last six matches, including league triumphs over Wolves and Leeds.