• Why This Match Matters

This is a revenge mission for Mikel Arteta. Just 24 days ago, Aston Villa ended Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run with a dramatic 95th-minute winner by Emi Buendía. Unai Emery, the former Arsenal manager, has now beaten his old club in three of their last five encounters.1. The “Sensational” Return of Ben White

While he was thought to be out until late January, breaking reports this morning suggest Ben White has a slight, outside chance of being named in the squad today. While he likely won’t start, his presence on the bench would be a massive psychological boost for an Arsenal defense that has been forced to play Declan Rice out of position.

Statistics heading into tonight reveal a shocking trend: Unai Emery has become the “Kryptonite” to Mikel Arteta.

• Villa has won 3 of the last 5 league meetings.
• Emery’s side has already ended Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run earlier this month.
• If Villa wins tonight, it would be their 12th consecutive victory, a feat not seen at the club in over a century.

Mikel Arteta dropped a bombshell in his pre-match talk, hinting that Kai Havertz is “a matter of days, not weeks” away from a return. There is a strong rumor that Havertz has traveled with the squad and could be a surprise “joker” on the bench to provide height against Villa’s physical set-pieces.

4. The "Lazy to Legendary" Transformation

A major talking point in the UK press today is how Emery publicly called his players “lazy” after a winless five-game start to the season. Fast forward to tonight, and those same players—Watkins and Rogers—are being hailed as the most hardworking duo in Europe. This shift in mentality is the “unexpected” engine behind Villa’s title charge.

1.Match Summary & Quick Info

2.The Stakes: A Premier League Title Decider

Few games carry stakes as high as this mid-week showdown. Arsenal enters the match at the top of the table, but their lead is fragile. A victory moves them five points clear, entering 2026 with a firm grip on the trophy.

However, Aston Villa is currently the most dangerous team in England. Under Unai Emery, they have won 11 consecutive matches. A win for the visitors would see them leapfrog Manchester City into second place and join Arsenal on 42 points, creating a three-way tie at the summit of the Premier League.

3.Aston Villa Team News & Suspensions

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4. Arsenal vs Aston Villa Preview: Premier League Lineups, News, and Predictions

The Arsenal vs Aston Villa preview for the final match of 2025 highlights a monumental clash at the Emirates Stadium that could decide the trajectory of the Premier League title race.

5.Predicted Lineups for Arsenal vs Aston Villa

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• Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3):

• Goalkeeper: Raya
• Defense: Rice, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
• Midfield: Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Merino
• Attack: Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard

• Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):

• Goalkeeper: Martínez
• Defense: Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelöf, Maatsen
• Midfield: Onana, Tielemans
• Attack: McGinn, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins

6.Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Games)

Aston Villa has recently become Arsenal’s “bogey team.” The tactical setup of Unai Emery has repeatedly frustrated Mikel Arteta’s possession-based style.

• Arsenal wins: 1
• Aston Villa wins: 3
• Draws: 1
• Last meeting: Aston Villa 2–1 Arsenal (Dec. 6, 2025)