What will Arsenal's starting line-up be against Aston Villa?

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal come into this on the back of a 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester City, which has extended their winless run of form to four matches in all competitions, knocking them off top spot in the Premier League for the time being.

Given that difficult run of form, it could be a time for The Gunners to freshen up their side with some players in key positions beginning to look a bit jaded.

Takehiro Tomiyasu came in for Ben White at right-back in that defeat the other night but the Japanese international made a costly error to allow Kevin De Bruyne to give Manchester City the lead in that match. It is expected that White will return to the starting line-up, after being subbed on in the second-half of Wednesday’s loss.

Arsenal’s defence and midfield has been a steady and impressive core throughout the campaign but they are now having to deal with an injury to Thomas Partey, as well as a slight dip in form of both Gabriel and William Saliba.

Jakub Kiwior joined from Spezia in the January transfer window and, given that Mikel Arteta discussed his bemusement at having to play in the early kick-off after a midweek match, the Polish international could be in line for a Premier League debut, albeit that possibility remains unlikely.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to continue at left-back with the Ukrainian international offering a tactical versatility with the ability to drift into midfield, helping Granit Xhaka and the aforementioned Partey to usually overwhelm the opposition in the middle.

However, Partey remains sidelined for this one due to injury so deadline day signing, Jorginho, should keep his place from the other day. The Italian international lacks an intensity that Partey and Xhaka’s partnership offered but should be able to give the control that the visitors will need at what could and should be a fairly hostile crowd at Villa Park. Mohamed Elneny is still out injured.

Captain Martin Odegaard and star man Bukayo Saka were bright sparks for The Gunners in the second-half against Manchester City and will both be pivotal for this trip.

Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah have both shown signs of tiredness in the last month, in particular Martinelli. Leandro Trossard joined the club in the January transfer window and is expected to earn his first Premier League start, after coming off the bench and scoring the opening goal in a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Nketiah should retain his place due to a lack of options with Gabriel Jesus remaining injured.

Emile Smith Rowe has suffered with injuries and his fitness throughout the campaign and he remains a doubt for this match, with Arsenal looking to return to the top-of-the-table for a few hours at least.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard

UNAVAILABLE: Elneny (Injured), Jesus (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Partey (Injured), Smith Rowe (Fitness)