Arsenal's Ecuadorian defender #05 Piero Hincapie (L) vies with Chelsea's Brazilian striker #20 Joao Pedro (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 30, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
ARSENAL retained their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League after a flurry of activity in the midweek games, in which they consigned Brentford to defeat at the Emirates.
The Gunners’ hierarchy will be the first to admit that the win was far from straightforward, and it was the result that mattered most.
That triumph took Arsenal to an 18th unbeaten match across all competitions.
Mikel Arteta’s side have indeed been impressive since that league loss to Liverpool at the end of August and against Aston Villa in the early kick-off today, they will need to be similarly resolute.
Villa, under the stewardship of Unai Emery, narrowly missed out on a Champions League place last season, and after a somewhat slow start in this campaign, appear to be well within range of securing a top four finish.
The Villans should prove sturdy opposition on their home ground as they bid to extend a run in which they have carved out six victories on the trot in all competitions.
Four of those were in the Premier League and will have given Arsenal fair warning of what to expect at Villa Park today.
Just as Arsenal showed sheer grit in their workmanlike win over Brentford in midweek, so too did Villa – forced to come from two goals down and win 4-3 against Brighton.
The makings of the clash between first and third place on the log, respectively, are nothing short of a feisty encounter – one punctuated by the hallmarks of great English football – fast, physical and supremely entertaining stuff.
Emery will be keen on the return of Emiliano Martinez.
The Argentine goalkeeper was withdrawn from the starting XI against Brighton in midweek, after sustaining a back injury in the warm-up.
He was replaced by Marco Bizot and Emery confirmed Martinez was a doubt for Arsenal’s visit.
And barring Tyrone Mings’ long-term knee injury, Villa have a full squad to choose from, which could see Emery recall Youri Tielemans to the starting XI – the midfielder sitting out in midweek through rotation.
The return to goal-scoring form by Ollie Watkins, who hammered home two against Brighton, was also welcome news for Villa’s fan base.
The England striker has been out of sorts this season, but a run of form like he exhibited against Brighton will only strengthen the home team’s resolve and make them all that harder to beat.
The Gunners’ treatment room is much more crowded with midfield dynamo Declan Rice and stand-in central defender Cristhian Mosquera both picking up knocks against Brentford, and now unlikely to be fit for the trip to Villa Park – unless of course, they pass late fitness tests.
Arteta had to do without the services of centre-back kingpins Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba in their last two fixtures, with Mosquera partnering Piero Hincapie, in their absence.
And after Mosquera came off at half-time against Brentford, Jurrien Timber took to the centre of defence with Hincapie.
They proved good enough to ensure an eighth clean sheet this season – another of which, would be just fine in bolstering their chance of clinching a first league title in more than two decades.
In contrast, Manchester City will be aiming to win a fifth league title in six seasons, and ninth in the last 14 years – a rather remarkable statistic.
Much of that has to do with the football acumen of one Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard has overseen six of those league triumphs and after a disappointing campaign last time out, they do appear to be in a much better place this term, even if they are now five points off the pace.
Having said that, though, Man City face what looks like a formidable task when sixth-placed Sunderland travel to the Etihad Stadium today.
A mere five points off Man City’s 28 in the league, Sunderland underscored their growing reputation of being difficult to break down with the 1-1 draw with champions Liverpool in midweek.
That kind of doggedness is what Man City are likely to encounter in their own backyard, and unless they can show the deliberate fortitude that they did when winning the league four seasons in a row, they could find themselves losing more ground on Arsenal.
Chelsea, who held the Gunners to a draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend, slipped up in midweek, when they were undone by a real gutsy performance from Leeds United – just their fourth win of the season.
Leeds, promoted along with Sunderland and Burnley, are at home to Liverpool, seeking to continue the display that saw them embarrass Chelsea.
Indeed, another showing like that, and Liverpool too will be left licking their wounds.
Although, this game might prove a little tougher, given the Reds’ mini revival.
As the chasing pack bids to eliminate further mistakes and keep up with the Gunners, things should get quite interesting, and more so with the busy festive period setting in.
