Dugout Discussion
6 December 2025 524 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

Unai Emery faces another rematch with his former employers as Aston Villa host Arsenal in the Gameweek 15 curtain-raiser.

Kick-off at Villa Park is at 12.30pm GMT.

These are the top two clubs in the Premier League form table, no matter if you’re measuring by six, eight, 10 or 12 matches.

Villa have won eight of their last nine league fixtures, with the Gunners unbeaten in 11.

READ RAINY’S PRE-MATCH PREAMBLE HERE!

TEAM NEWS

Emi Martinez has made a quick recovery, having pulled out the Aston Villa starting XI in midweek. He starts against his old club.

Marco Bizot stands down.

Emery’s one other change sees Youri Tielemans come in for Evann Guessand.

After their midweek rests, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber are back in Mikel Arteta’s line-up at Villa Park.

Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli drop to the bench, while Cristhian Mosquera, who Timber replaces, is reportedly out for 6-8 weeks with an ankle injury.

Declan Rice is passed fit after a minor fitness scare in midweek.

There’s still no William Saliba but Leandro Trossard, who, like the French centre-back, was described as “days” away on Friday, makes the bench.

Mikel Merino starts up top again.

LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Onana, Tielemans, Kamara, McGinn, Rogers, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Hemmings, Buendia, Malen, Sancho.

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Timber, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Eze, Merino.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Salmon, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly.


price change predictions
524 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Do some CIBT things plz, Timber !

  2. nanxun
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    lindelof?!? absolutely had no idea he was still in the prem.

  3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Merino punt failed. Move to Rice instead?
    Also have Saka

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      I will get rice for sure. Was gonna go for him if it hadn't been for the fact he was a doubt.

  4. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Is this ref biased or just shite at his job?

  5. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Raya on 3 saves!

  6. nanxun
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    a little fkg control plz, gunners?

  7. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Hincapie 10 defcon

    Potentially my GW16 transfer...

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      nice!

      really aggressive defender, been very solid with the defcons until now, all good signs

      would be nice to see him get his head on a corner at some point

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        How long is he nailed for though?

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          4 months, 11 days ago

          until gabriel or mosquera back

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 11 days ago

          Until big Gabby is back

  8. NotsoSpursy
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Rice on 3 BP !

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Yep amazing for owners! I m jealous:)

  9. nanxun
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    rice, cash and kamara on baps at present.

  10. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    wtf Pep why bench Reijnders after he was great vs Fulham, looking like yet more bench jam for me this week eek lol

  11. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Rice cooking slowly but evenly.

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      *ebenly

  12. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Bad GW start with Saka and Cala

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Saka assist

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        And yellow

  13. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    How is Timber on 1 DC entire second half...

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Do you think he's a potential sell?

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Yes, getting really tired of him. Overpriced for what he gives you. All his goal threat came in GW2 against Leeds after that hes done f all

  14. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Just the additional 2 points for Rice and his 20+ defcons...

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Actually probably secures 3 bonus points as well

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Maybe not...

  15. nanxun
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    noni, take the ball with you next time.

  16. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    One player to take from Arsenal defence?

    A. Timber
    B. Raya
    C. Calafiori

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Hincapie

      Calafiori has 5 YCs and suspended for 16

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 11 days ago

        Hincapie better option than Timber?

  17. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Goallll!!!!

  18. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Buendia G what a finish omg wow

  19. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Timber is so hopeless. Overhyped by everyone after one Newcastle game. No attacking returns, no cleans, no defcons.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Plus very expensive

  20. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Delicious -1 for Arsenal players

  21. F4L
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    buendia winner

  22. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Villa YES!!!!

  23. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Arsenal defence - 1 point...

  24. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    SCENES!!!

  25. F4L
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    kamara a i think

  26. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • 15 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    YES!!!!!!

  27. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    City to win the title yet again

  28. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Arteta LOLLZZZZZ

  29. Captain Mal
    • 1 Year
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Good ebening!

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 11 days ago

      Marco Bizot

  30. el polako
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 11 days ago

    Loving it!!!