Preview: Aston Villa out to prove title credentials against ArsenalShareA pivotal top-of-the-table clash will draw the curtain on Premier League action in 2025.By Neel ShelatAston Villa on the brink of a record-breaking winning streakAston Villa’s comeback win over Chelsea last weekend led them to match their club record of 11 consecutive wins across all competitions, first set in 1897 and only previously repeated all of 111 years ago in 1914. Funnily enough, they have done so in what is their 111th season in the English top flight.Clearly, the Villans seem to have something of a lucky number, but they have a long way to go yet if they are to immortalise this campaign by winning their first league title since 1981.Arsenal’s fantastic home formWhile Villa have been stealing the headlines lately, Arsenal still have some impressive ongoing streaks. Of course, their 18-match unbeaten run was broken in the reverse fixture earlier this month, but their home form has remained imperious.Last week’s EFL Cup draw with Crystal Palace ended their 10-game winning streak at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners remain unbeaten in 15 matches on their turf. They have picked up 25 out of a possible 27 points in their Premier League home matches this term.The Premier League table (HOME games only!)Key absences in both back linesInjury crises have derailed many an Arsenal title charge in the past, so they have tried to do everything possible to avoid such a collapse this time around. Their impressive squad depth is coming in very handy at this time of year, and the full back positions are under the spotlight at the moment.Benjamin White has been out for a few weeks and Jurriën Timber was not a part of the last matchday squad, so Declan Rice may have to deputise at right back unless the Dutchman returns to the XI. Riccardo Calafiori was due to start the weekend’s match but pulled out during the warm-up, so Piero Hincapié or young Myles Lewis-Skelly may well start on the left. Some much-needed good news for the Gunners is that Gabriel Magalhães is expected to make his first start since early November and rekindle his partnership with William Saliba.Villa would have been preparing for this match without Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres anyway, but their task has been made tougher by one-match suspensions for Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara. Their right side will be further weakened by the absence of Evann Guessand, who was drafted into the Ivory Coast’s AFCON squad at the last minute.Set-pieces a potential concern for VillaWith Manchester City poised to pounce on any slip-ups in this match, Arsenal will be well aware of the importance of winning this match by any means necessary. Unai Emery’s side have won three of their last five meetings, so Mikel Arteta will need to devise the perfect plan and get his side on their A game.Set-pieces have been a key component of the league-leaders’ attack this season, and they could prove more important than ever in this match since Villa’s 84 shots conceded from such situations is the worst record in the league.PredictionA tense clash is to be expected, but Arsenal might just have enough to carve out a slender victory.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: Aston Villa out to prove title credentials against ArsenalA pivotal top-of-the-table clash will draw the curtain on Premier League action in 2025.By Neel ShelatAston Villa on the brink of a record-breaking winning streakAston Villa’s comeback win over Chelsea last weekend led them to match their club record of 11 consecutive wins across all competitions, first set in 1897 and only previously repeated all of 111 years ago in 1914. Funnily enough, they have done so in what is their 111th season in the English top flight.Clearly, the Villans seem to have something of a lucky number, but they have a long way to go yet if they are to immortalise this campaign by winning their first league title since 1981.Arsenal’s fantastic home formWhile Villa have been stealing the headlines lately, Arsenal still have some impressive ongoing streaks. Of course, their 18-match unbeaten run was broken in the reverse fixture earlier this month, but their home form has remained imperious.Last week’s EFL Cup draw with Crystal Palace ended their 10-game winning streak at the Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners remain unbeaten in 15 matches on their turf. They have picked up 25 out of a possible 27 points in their Premier League home matches this term.The Premier League table (HOME games only!)Key absences in both back linesInjury crises have derailed many an Arsenal title charge in the past, so they have tried to do everything possible to avoid such a collapse this time around. Their impressive squad depth is coming in very handy at this time of year, and the full back positions are under the spotlight at the moment.Benjamin White has been out for a few weeks and Jurriën Timber was not a part of the last matchday squad, so Declan Rice may have to deputise at right back unless the Dutchman returns to the XI. Riccardo Calafiori was due to start the weekend’s match but pulled out during the warm-up, so Piero Hincapié or young Myles Lewis-Skelly may well start on the left. Some much-needed good news for the Gunners is that Gabriel Magalhães is expected to make his first start since early November and rekindle his partnership with William Saliba.Villa would have been preparing for this match without Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres anyway, but their task has been made tougher by one-match suspensions for Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara. Their right side will be further weakened by the absence of Evann Guessand, who was drafted into the Ivory Coast’s AFCON squad at the last minute.Set-pieces a potential concern for VillaWith Manchester City poised to pounce on any slip-ups in this match, Arsenal will be well aware of the importance of winning this match by any means necessary. Unai Emery’s side have won three of their last five meetings, so Mikel Arteta will need to devise the perfect plan and get his side on their A game.Set-pieces have been a key component of the league-leaders’ attack this season, and they could prove more important than ever in this match since Villa’s 84 shots conceded from such situations is the worst record in the league.PredictionA tense clash is to be expected, but Arsenal might just have enough to carve out a slender victory.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.