Arsenal host Aston Villa in top-of-the-table battle.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa begins at 20:15 [GMT] on Tuesday, December 30, at the Emirates.

Table-topping Arsenal [WLWWW] welcome 3rd-placed Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium for their final Premier League fixture of the calendar year, with recent history suggesting this has become an increasingly awkward matchup for the hosts. The traditional balance of power has shifted. Arsenal have lost three of their last five league meetings with Villa, and the visitors have a genuine chance to complete a league double over the Gunners for the third time in the last six seasons. Prior to 2020, Villa had only managed this feat once in Premier League history, underlining how unusual—and significant—this recent trend has become. From Arsenal’s perspective, the end-of-year form has generally been reliable. They have won four of their last five final league games, with only a narrow defeat at Fulham in 2023 breaking that run. Individual narratives add further intrigue. Eberechi Eze, now wearing Arsenal colors, has an unusual habit of delivering late-year moments, having scored in his team’s final league game in each of the last three seasons. His past record against Aston Villa is equally impressive, with five goal involvements in four home starts. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Viktor Gyökeres in attack is expected against Villa.

Aston Villa [WWWWW], by contrast, have struggled to close out calendar years strongly, winning just two of their last 13 final league fixtures, which may temper optimism despite their recent success against Arsenal. Villa have also found confidence on North London soil. They are unbeaten in their last two away league games at the Emirates, including a commanding 2–0 win in April 2024 and a 2–2 draw earlier last season. Not since the late 2000s have they enjoyed a longer unbeaten run away to Arsenal, reinforcing the sense that this is no longer an intimidating venue for Unai Emery’s side. This fixture carries a notable subplot. Emery returns to the Emirates for the third time as an away Premier League manager, having already won once and drawn once since leaving Arsenal. No former Gunners boss has ever avoided defeat in three consecutive away league visits to the club, giving Villa's manager added motivation to make history against his former employers. Villa’s main threat remains Ollie Watkins, who has been particularly effective against Arsenal away from home. His four goals in five away league appearances against the Gunners is the best return by any Villa player at the Emirates. Watkins is expected at the attacking end of Villa’s 4—2—3—1 formation. Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are both suspended for this fixture.