Aston Villa v Arsenal team news - as eight players ruled out

Aston Villa hope to continue their momentum as they welcome league leaders Arsenal to Villa Park on Saturday (December 9). Villa claimed a monumental victory over the reigning champions Man City, and now hope to secure another huge result against their title rivals. Leon Bailey scored the only goal of the game as Pep Guardiola's side were beaten, however it could have been more.

Attention now turns to the weekend, and Unai Emery comes up against his former club, hopeful of a positive result after masterminding a 14-game winning run at home. A win for Villa would bring them to within a point of the Gunners, whilst a victory from the men from North London is needed to maintain their title push.

Arsenal played on Tuesday, and were involved in a seven-goal thriller with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. Declan Rice scored in the 97th minute to give Arsenal the victory after Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz had scored earlier in the game.

Villa ended a ten-year wait when they beat Man City, and now they'll hope to end a run of four consecutive defeats against Arsenal. Villa's last win against Arsenal was in August 2013 when they won 3-1 at the Emirates, thanks to a brace from Christian Benteke and a Antonio Luna effort.

Will a days extra rest impact the game at all? It remains to be seen. Mikel Arteta won't be in the opposition dugout to shake hands with Emery meanwhile, as he picked up his third yellow card of the season, which means he's suspended from the touchline for this Premier League clash. Here's all the latest team news for the Villains and the Gunners.