Preview: Aston Villa Aims to Narrow Gap with Arsenal Amid Player Shortages

Arsenal travel to Villa Park to face an in-form Aston Villa side in gameweek 15 of the Premier League.

Both teams come into the match in great form: Villa have won their last six games in all competitions, while Mikel Arteta’s side, currently at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League, have not lost in 18 matches.

This impressive form could see the Gunners go eight points clear of second-place Manchester City if they defeat the Villans.

The latest encounter between the two sides was an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in January.

However, Arteta will be without six key players for this match due to injuries. With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães sidelined, Cristhian Mosquera filled in at center-back but picked up an ankle injury in the latest 2-0 victory over Brentford, making him a major doubt. Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice are also likely to miss, while Kai Havertz remains out.

Aston Villa could capitalize on these absences. Emiliano Martínez, who missed the recent clash with Brighton, is doubtful to face his former club, and Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings are still unavailable due to longer-term injuries.

Unai Emery’s men sit third in the Premier League and could move to second, just four points behind the Gunners, before Manchester City’s match against Sunderland later in the afternoon.

Historically, the teams have faced each other 205 times, with Villa winning 71 and Arsenal securing 88 victories, in addition to 46 draws.

Predicted line-ups

AVI: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins