Aston Villa vs. Arsenal predicted line-ups: Five out and two doubts as £52m star returns

Unai Emery will be hoping to deliver a bloody nose to former club Arsenal when his Aston Villa side host the Gunners in the Premier League on Saturday evening. The Villans are currently riding the crest of a stunning 14-game winning streak at Villa Park, and could move to within a point of the top of the table if they can claim another notable scalp this weekend.

Villa have already taken three points from Manchester City this week, with Leon Bailey's deflected effort proving enough to see off Pep Guardiola's champions on Wednesday night. That result left the Villans third in the table, and just four points behind Mikel Arteta's visiting side heading into the weekend.

For their part, Arsenal have been on an impressive run of their own lately, scoring late goals against Brentford and Luton Town in recent outings to extend their unbeaten run to four matches in the Premier League. A rollercoaster affair at Kenilworth Road was decided by a Declan Rice header deep into stoppage time, and ensured that the Gunners remain at the summit of the top flight, two points clear of second-placed Liverpool.

But how will both sides line up at Villa Park this weekend? We've taken a closer look at their respective team news and predicted XIs below.

Aston Villa Team News

All things considered, Aston Villa have relatively few injury concerns to contend with heading into Saturday's clash. Both Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia are set to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign following separate cases of ACL damage, and while many supporters have come to terms with their lengthy stint on the treatment table, Emery has been quick to reiterate just how keenly their absences are being felt. Speaking prior to the win over Man City, the Spaniard said: "Some teams have some injuries, but I want to remind you about our big injuries to Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia."

Elsewhere, Bertrand Traore is unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from a recurring knock. The 28-year-old has played just 10 minutes of Premier League football so far this season.

Aston Villa Predicted XI

Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Luca Digne; Leon Bailey, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn; Moussa Diaby, Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal Team News

As for Arsenal, their injury list remains short and unchanged. Fabio Vieira will not feature again before the new year after undergoing surgery on a groin issue, while fellow midfielder Thomas Partey is still ruled out with a muscular problem.

Elsewhere, Emile Smith Rowe is a major doubt, while Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu could be facing four to six weeks out of the side after picking up a calf injury recently. Taking to social media to address his latest fitness setback earlier this week, the 25-year-old wrote: "I'm sick of being injured but I believe this is the opportunity to be much stronger."

Arsenal's only other confirmed absentee is Jurrien Timber, who may not play again this season after damaging his ACL on the opening weekend.

Arsenal Predicted XI

David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.