Arsenal v Aston Villa: Premier League – live | Premier League

Brentford v Liverpool: With five minutes remaining, Thomas Frank’s side are currently holding Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium. As things stand, Arsenal could move to within two points of the League leaders (having played one more game) with a win over Villa.

Match officials of the day

• Arbitrator: Chris Kavanagh.

• Assistants: Lee Betts and Neil Davies.

• Fourth official: John Busby.

• VAR: John Brooks.

• VAR Assistant:Darren Cann

Mikel Arteta: Speaking ahead of that match yesterday, the Arsenal manager reflected on his side’s win over Spurs on Tuesday night before turning to this evening’s task.

“I loved the attitude the team played with, a great chance in front of our people, the atmosphere was great but we’re moving on to the next one, it’s a great game,” he said. “We will do our best to prepare in the best possible way to win. We know how difficult the team they are, which is why they are performing so well. Great players and a great coach.

On Arsenal qualifying for the title: “If we look at the statistics, the statistics say we were the best team in the league, but the reality is we didn’t win the league, so we still have to improve and be better,” he said. . “We play to win and that’s exactly where we want to be. The pressure comes from within. You must thrive to be the best you can be.

These teams: William Saliba is a notable absentee for Arsenal, having been limped off with a hamstring strain towards the end of his side’s win over Spurs in midweek.

We can probably expect to see Jurrien Timber fill in at centre-back alongside Gabriel, with Thomas Partey lining up at right-back. This match also comes too early for Riccardo Calafiori, who is not part of the squad for the day. Myles Lewis-Skelly retains his place at left-back, where he impressed his grandmother with his tough tackles against Tottenham.

Unai Emery brings in Ian Maatsen at left-back for Villa, with Lucas Digne absent. New signing Donyell Malen is on the substitutes’ bench, where he will be able to chat with Jhon Duran and Leon Bailey, among other new teammates.

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Merino, Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz.

Submarines: Neto, Tierney, Kiwior, Kacurri, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Sterling, Kabia, Butler-Oyedeji.

Villa Aston: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Onana, Kamara, Rogers, Tielemans, Ramsey Watkins

Submarines: Olsen, Gauci, Bogarde, Digne, Nedeljkovic, Buendia, Bailey, Malen, Duran

First news from the team

Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all injured, but Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori could return from injury after a three-match absence. Whether or not he will start ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who played so well against Tottenham, remains to be seen.

Unai Emery is without Pau Torres, John McGinnn and Ross Barkley, who are all injured. Diego Carlos is also expected to be unavailable due to a minor issue. The defender was linked with a move to Fenerbahce by his manager yesterday and is expected to leave Villa before the end of the transfer window.

Better news for Emery is that the Spaniard can call on Donyell Malen, the 25-year-old Dutch winger who signed for Villa yesterday from Borussia Dortmund and could make his Premier League debut at the home of the club where he spent two years as a player. youth team player.

“He is used to playing as a seven, sometimes as an 11 on the left, but also as a number 10,” said Unai Emery of Malen. “He is always close to the opponent’s box and scores and assists goals. We will need a player like him to be a threat to the opponent at the back.”

Following Tuesday night’s home win over Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates for what could be a sterner test of their title credentials than the one they passed relatively easily in midweek.

Unbeaten in four games, Aston Villa arrive in London on the back of three straight wins and manager Unai Emery will be hoping his side can deliver the goods in a return to an old stomping ground where he has been unable to work his managerial magic. Kick-off at the Emirates Stadium is at 5:30 p.m. (GMT) but we’ll have team news and preparations in the meantime.