The confirmed team news for Arsenal vs Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery have named their respective starting lineups and substitutes for this evening’s meeting between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s a huge game under the lights in north London as the Premier League’s first and third-placed teams commence battle. Arsenal, unbeaten on home soil, will be eager to extend their gap to Villa to six points tonight but it won’t be easy as Emery’s side have remarkably won their last 11 games in a row.

Arsenal have made two changes from their 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. The injured Declan Rice is not in the squad whatsoever tonight - a huge blow - but Gabriel returns to the starting team. Jurrien Timber is fine to start, too, after missing the Brighton game.

Villa, meanwhile, have five new faces in their starting XI following the 2-1 turnaround victory at Chelsea. Ollie Watkins, who scored both of the Villans’ goals at Stamford Bridge, heads into the lineup. Lucas Digne and Lamare Bogarde step in for Ian Maatsen and Matty Cash at full-back, while Jadon Sancho and Emiliano Buendia earn starts.