The year 2025 draws to a spectacular close tonight, Tuesday, December 30, with a massive Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium. League leaders Arsenal host third-place Aston Villa in a match that could define the momentum of the title race heading into 2026.
Just 24 days ago, Unai Emery’s Villa side ended Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run with a dramatic 2–1 win in Birmingham. Tonight, Mikel Arteta has the chance to settle the score and ensure the Gunners finish the calendar year at the summit.
Match Details
Kick-off: 20:15 GMT / 15:15 ET / 23:15 EAT
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Darren England (VAR: Jarred Gillett)
Standings: Arsenal (1st - 42 pts) | Aston Villa (3rd - 39 pts)
The Form Guide: Clash of the Titans
Arsenal: Defensive Resilience
Arsenal enter this fixture on a five-match winning streak across all competitions. Their recent 2–1 win over Brighton showcased a team that is learning to grind out results even when not at their free-flowing best. They currently boast the league's best defensive record, having conceded only 11 goals in 18 games.
Aston Villa: The Winning Machine
Unai Emery has turned Villa into a relentless juggernaut. They arrive in London on the back of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions—a club record. Having already beaten Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea in December, the "Lions" are no longer just top-four contenders; they are genuine title threats.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta is managing a minor defensive crisis. Riccardo Calafiori (knock) and Jurrien Timber are both major doubts, while Ben White remains out.
The Big Boost: Gabriel Magalhães returned to the pitch against Brighton and is expected to start tonight, providing much-needed stability.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Rice, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Merino; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.
Aston Villa Team News
Villa will be without two vital components of their midfield and defense due to yellow card suspensions.
Out: Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara (both suspended); Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings (injury).
Key Player: Ollie Watkins. After scoring a brace off the bench against Chelsea, Watkins is in peak form and has a history of haunting his boyhood club, Arsenal.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelöf, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins.
Head-to-Head: Emery’s Hex?
Despite Arsenal’s historical dominance, Villa have become a true "bogey team" for Arteta in recent years.
Last 5 Meetings: Aston Villa (3 wins), Arsenal (1 win), Draws (1).
Earlier this Month: Aston Villa 2–1 Arsenal (Dec 6, 2025).
Stat to Watch: Arsenal have seen over 2.5 goals in 14 of their last 15 home matches against Aston Villa.
Tactical Breakdown
Arsenal will look to dominate the middle of the park through Martin Ødegaard and new signing Martin Zubimendi, aiming to pin Villa back. However, Villa's high defensive line is masterfully coordinated by Unai Emery to trigger offside traps. The game will likely be decided by how well Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres can exploit the gaps left by Villa's stand-in right-back, Lamare Bogarde.
Match Prediction
This is the most difficult game to call in the Premier League this month. Arsenal are formidable at the Emirates, but Villa's 11-game winning momentum is hard to ignore. Expect a high-intensity battle with goals at both ends.
Final Score Prediction: Arsenal 2–2 Aston Villa
