Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa is the eye-catching Premier League fixture on the calendar this weekend as the Gunners face a festive title test against former boss Unai Emery.
Villa’s superb home form continued with a 1-0 midweek win over defending champions Manchester City as Leon Bailey’s late goal made it seven Premier League wins from seven home games for Emery so far this season.
Declan Rice rescued a 4-3 win for Mikel Arteta away at Luton Town to allow Arsenal to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table in front of Liverpool.
However, Arteta will be forced to watch this one from the stands, due to a touchline ban, with both teams in red-hot form ahead of this clash.
The Sporting News will be following the Aston Villa vs. Arsenal Premier League match live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as they happen.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal live score
| 1st Half | 2nd Half | Goal scorers | |
| Aston Villa | 1 | — | McGinn |
| Arsenal | 0 | — |
Lineups:
Aston Villa (4-5-1, right to left): Martinez (GK) — Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne — Bailey, Kamara, Tielemans, Luiz, McGinn — Watkins.
Arsenal (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko — Odegaard, Rice, Havertz — Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA
Aston Villa vs Arsenal live updates, highlights, and commentary
HALF TIME: ASTON VILLA 1 ARSENAL 0
Villa have the advantage at the break thanks to McGinn’s smart finish. Arsenal face a battle prevent Villa from picking up an eighth successive Premier League home win this season!
Leading by one. 👊 pic.twitter.com/S8XiZIw1Zu
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 9, 2023
44 mins: Jesus twists past Carlos and forces a corner from Martinez’s save but Saka’s two deliveries are dealt with by Villa.
40 mins: HUGE CHANCE FOR ARSENAL!
Arsenal’s best chance of the first half as Havertz bursts into the Villa box, his pass is laid off by Jesus, but Odegaard’s weak effort is held by Martinez.
Watkins escapes to test Raya at the other end but the offside flag is up!
37 mins: Strange decision by Martinez to try and come out and beat Marinelli to a ball over the top and Diego Carlos is forced to race behind his keeper and clear.
34 mins: Little burst of positivity for Arsenal, as Saka steps inside his marker and shoots straight at Martinez, and Odegaard drags an effort wide from the edge of the Villa box.
28 mins: Frustration starting to creep in for Arsenal as Oleksandr Zinchenko is booked for hauling back Youri Tielemans.
22 mins: Gabriel Martinelli’s looping cross is an easy catch for ex-Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez and Lucas Digne’s poor free kick is blocked by the Arsenal wall.
15 mins: Kai Havertz looks to drive Arsenal forward, he slips in Saka, but the England winger is denied by a block from Pau Torres.
10 mins: Arsenal have responded strongly since falling behind but no real chances yet for Arteta’s visitors!
6 mins: GOALLLLLLLLLLLL FOR VILLA!
Bukayo Saka cannot turn home a half chance for Arsenal and Villa storm forward to take the lead!
Brilliant run from Bailey takes him past Gabriel and his cut back is gathered in and fired home by Villa captain John McGinn!
*Watch in the USA
ASTON VILLA ARE FLYING.
John McGinn gives the hosts an early lead over Arsenal!
📺 @nbc pic.twitter.com/fz1pXNBk82
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 9, 2023
*Watch in Canada
John McGinn SCORES!!
⚽ 1-0 Aston Villa vs Arsenal FC
WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/XXKC5V1la5
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) December 9, 2023
*Watch in UK
WHAT A START BY ASTON VILLA! 🔥
It’s their captain John McGinn 👏 pic.twitter.com/JtslDuZQEk
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2023
5 mins: Positive start from Villa as Leon Bailey’s corner is headed away by Gabriel Jesus and David Raya just about manages to catch a deep cross intended for Ollie Watkins.
KICKOFF: ASTON VILLA VS ARSENAL
Underway. UTV! ✊ #AVLARS pic.twitter.com/ffPxEoHsQ6
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 9, 2023
5 mins to KO: KICKOFF INCOMING!
Let’s give our all – together ✊ pic.twitter.com/oEiKkkXYAG
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 9, 2023
20 mins to KO: A Gunners century tonight for Captain Odegaard!
A centenary of Premier League appearances for our skipper 💛 pic.twitter.com/ZwTLayYJ9n
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 9, 2023
45 mins to KO: Arteta’s absence from the Arsenal dugout will be a key feature of this clash with the full details on why he is watching from the stands right here.
1 hour to KO: TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Emery sticks with an unchanged team from the win over City and Oleksandr Zinchenko comes in for Jakub Kiwior for Arsenal.
Representing Aston Villa! 👊 pic.twitter.com/Y4F7u1dpz3
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 9, 2023
🟡 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
One change from last time out – Zinchenko replaces Kiwior
Let’s do this, Gunners ✊ pic.twitter.com/gsjtXFGBj2
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 9, 2023
1 hour and 15 mins to KO: HUGE attention on Villa boss Emery tonight with a record of three Premier League losses against his old team since his Premier League return in 2022.
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 9, 2023
1 hour and 30 mins to KO: A crunch night in store at Villa Park with neither side taking a backwards step!
Aston Villa are one win away from 15 consecutive home league wins for the first time in the club’s 149-year history.
LWWWWWWWWWWWWWW⏳
The L before the winning streak? Arsenal
The team they face in the 15th game? ArsenalHurry up, Saturday. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Y0KcsUpa3j
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 6, 2023
1 hour and 45 mins to KO: Arsenal scored twice after the 90 minute mark in their 4-2 Premier League win at Villa Park last season — will there be more late drama tonight?
⏪ Last time out against today’s opponents…
A fast and frenetic finish 😅 pic.twitter.com/b6plp0FyYo
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 9, 2023
2 hours to KO: Welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Aston Villa vs. Arsenal in what’s all set to be a superb battle tonight at Villa Park. The home side produced an incredible performance against Manchester City last time out — and the Villa faithful will be hoping for a repeat against the Gunners!
NINE Aston Villa players created a chance against Manchester City last night. 🤯
4️⃣ @JMcGinn7
4️⃣ @DGOficial
3️⃣ @BoubaKamara_4
2️⃣ @LeonBailey
1️⃣ Youri Tielemans 🎯
1️⃣ Ollie Watkins
1️⃣ @EzriKonsa
1️⃣ Diego Carlos
1️⃣ @LucasDigne pic.twitter.com/IrsatN7osW— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 7, 2023
Aston Villa vs Arsenal lineups, team news
Emery has not confirmed any changes to his injury list and he sticks with the same team which battled past City. Ollie Watkins leads the Villa attack with the England striker scoring five goals in his last five home Premier League starts.
Aston Villa lineup (4-5-1, right to left): Martinez (GK) — Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne — Bailey, Kamara, Tielemans, Luiz, McGinn — Watkins.
Aston Villa subs (9): Marschall (GK), Cash, Moreno, Lenglet, Diaby, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Ramsey.
David Raya’s errors against Luton have not forced a change in goal from Arteta with the Spanish keeper keeping his starting place. First choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko comes in for Jakub Kiwior.
Arsenal lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko — Odegaard, Rice, Havertz — Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Arsenal subs (9): Ramsdale (GK), Nketiah, Kiwior, Soares, Trossard, Nelson, Jorginho, Elneny, Walters.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal live stream, TV channel
This Aston Villa vs. Arsenal Premier League match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. local time from Villa Park in Birmingham.
Below are the corresponding times, TV channels, and live streams to watch the match in regions around the world
| Date | Kickoff time | TV | Streaming | |
| USA | Sat, Dec. 9 | 12:30 p.m. ET | NBC USA Network, Peacock, Universo | Fubo, Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo |
| Canada | Sat, Dec. 9 | 12:30 p.m. ET | — | Fubo Canada |
| UK | Sat, Dec. 9 | 5:30 p.m. BST | Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event | NOW TV, Sky Go |
| Australia | Sun, Dec. 10 | 4:30 a.m. AEST | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Sat, Dec. 9 | 11:00 p.m. IST | — | Hotstar VIP, JioTV |
USA: This game is being broadcast on the NBC USA Network and Peacock. Spanish language streaming options on Universo and Telemundo, which are available to stream on Fubo.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via Fubo in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
UK: This match is available for live broadcast via Sky Sports with streaming options on Sky GO and Now TV.