Aston Villa vs Arsenal – Premier League: start time, team news and how to watch

Arsenal are set for a reunion with former boss Unai Emery as they prepare to visit his Aston Villa side in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping to see the Gunners return to winning ways and reclaim top spot in the Premier League amid a slight dip in form, which has seen them take just one point from their last three matches.

They were beaten 3-1 by title rivals Manchester City at the Emirates on Wednesday, coming after a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford last weekend and a 1-0 defeat away at Everton the week prior.

As for Villa, they are also enduring somewhat of a sticky patch after losing three of their last five games.

Emery’s men were dealt a 3-1 defeat of their own against City last time out, meaning they will be seeking an improved display when Arsenal come to town this weekend.

Villa currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, while the Gunners are second to City on goal difference and also have the luxury of a game-in-hand to play.

Sportsmail breaks down everything you need to know ahead of Aston Villa’s meeting with Arsenal on Saturday, including start time, TV channels and team news. 

When is Aston Villa vs Arsenal?

Aston Villa’s clash with Arsenal will take place on Saturday, February 18, with kick-off to come at 12.30pm.

The game is being held at Villa Park, where Emery’s men will be looking to make their home advantage count.

Villa fans may have a glimmer of hope heading into the game given they have won two of their last five league meetings with the Gunners.

The last of those victories came in 2021, when Ollie Watkins fired home the only goal of the game.

How to watch

Saturday’s showdown between Aston Villa and Arsenal will be shown live on BT Sport 1.

The early kick-off between the two teams will also be streamed on the official BT Sport app.

Highlights will be uploaded to the official BT Sports YouTube channel after the game.

Sportsmail will also be providing live coverage of Villa vs Arsenal, so you can keep up-to-date with all the latest developments here.

Team news 

Tyrone Mings missed Villa’s last league game – but he may return this weekend. 

Diego Carlos remains unavailable as he recovers from injury, while Ashley Young is expected to keep Matty Cash out of the team.

As for Arsenal, they are set to be without Thomas Partey after he missed the defeat against City due to a muscle injury.

Jorginho is expected to keep his place alongside Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard in midfield.

Takehiro Tomiyasu could be demoted to the bench after starting against City, with Ben White potentially replacing him. 

What’s been said in the build-up? 

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has called for the Gunners to remain ‘calm’ following their defeat at home to City. 

‘We know there’s a long way to go, we’ve said it after every game we’ve won,’ he told Arsenal’s website.

‘We have to stay calm, keep working hard and take it game by game.’

The midfielder is now hoping they can get back to winning ways when they face Villa on Saturday. 

‘It is football. Sometimes chances go in, sometimes not. But that is where we need to improve and be more clinical and defend our box. That is not just about one player, but the whole team,’ he added, speaking to Amazon Prime Video.

‘As we have said all season, work hard and take it game by game. It is the same now. It is one game we have lost here today and now we look to the next one. A new game on Saturday and we must come back and win.’