Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Leon Bailey returns in a 4-2-3-1 | OneFootball

Arsenal will host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday evening in a pivotal Premier League encounter. The Gunners, fresh off a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the North London derby, are determined to keep their title hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Villa, buoyed by a 1-0 win over Everton, aim to continue their resurgence under Unai Emery. Both teams are eager to strengthen their positions in the league table as the season heats up.

Arsenal's injury woes and title aspirations

Arsenal face a challenging task as they prepare for this crucial match, with injuries threatening to derail their campaign. Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury, leaving a significant gap in their attacking line-up. The injury list doesn’t stop there, as Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also unavailable. Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness remains uncertain as he deals with muscle issues.

Despite these setbacks, Arsenal’s home form has been a beacon of hope. They have secured 24 points out of a possible 30 at the Emirates this season, a record that has kept them in second place in the league. However, they trail leaders Liverpool by four points, with the Reds holding a game in hand.

While their spirited win over Tottenham showcased their resilience, the lack of a consistent goalscorer has become a pressing concern. With the January transfer window approaching, fans are calling for reinforcements to sustain their title challenge.

Aston Villa's resurgence this year

Aston Villa, under the guidance of former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, have turned their season around after a rocky start. They come into this match on the back of three consecutive victories across all competitions, including Premier League wins against Leicester City and Everton. This impressive run has propelled them to seventh place in the table, just three points shy of the Champions League qualification spots.

Villa’s away form, however, has been inconsistent. Their midweek win at Everton ended a streak of five consecutive away defeats in the league, offering a glimmer of hope for their travels. Ollie Watkins, who scored the decisive goal against Everton, will once again lead the attack.

Leon Bailey is expected to return to the starting line-up, while Pau Torres, Ross Barkley, and John McGinn remain sidelined due to injuries. Diego Carlos’s availability is still uncertain, but goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been declared fit to play.

Predicted lineup and tactical battle

Arsenal’s injury crisis will force Mikel Arteta to make adjustments to his line-up. Myles Lewis-Skelly is likely to retain his spot at left-back after an impressive performance in the derby, while Gabriel Martinelli is expected to replace Raheem Sterling on the wing. Arsenal will rely on their midfield creativity and strong home record to find a way past Villa’s defence.