Mikel Arteta’s Aston Villa game plan may have just changed following Unai Emery’s injury verdict

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal will be looking to build upon victory in the North London Derby as they face another tough test at home to Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping to claim victory over former Gunners manager Unai Emery and keep pace at the top of the Premier League with Liverpool facing a tough trip to Brentford.

Arteta has a poor record against Emery but will be buoyed by the 2-0 victory his side picked up at Villa Park earlier on in the season with goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.

Arsenal may have been handed a boost heading into the clash as Emery revealed the latest injury news for his Villa side amid a hectic schedule.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals the one thing his Arsenal players are currently enjoying in their Premier League title race

Unai Emery reveals four Aston Villa players to miss Arsenal clash

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal V Aston Villa, Villa boss Emery explained that his side would be without four key players ahead of their trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Emery announced that John McGinn, Pau Torres and Ross Barkley were expected to miss the game with injury and that Brazilian defender Diego Carlos was ‘not feeling good.’

Carlos played a pivotal role in Villa beating the Gunners 2-0 at the Emirates last season, a result which ultimately cost the North London side the Premier League title.

Emery is unbeaten at the Emirates since leaving Arsenal but will have to reshuffle his side with these injury setbacks. The Spaniard is also conscious of the minutes that centre back Tyrone Mings has played recently, he stated that he ‘has to be careful’ of the England international.

Arsenal could have defensive issues of their own with fans spotting that William Saliba was absent from training amid fears that he picked up a hamstring injury in the North London Derby.

Former Arsenal striker Donyell Malan could make Aston Villa debut

Former Arsenal striker Donyell Malan could make his Aston Villa debut after he joined the club this week from German outfit Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee.

Arsene Wenger sold Malen for just £500,000 to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven having struggled to break into Wenger’s plans. Malen had scored five goals in 21 appearances for Dortmund before making the switch to Villa Park.

Gunners fans will be hoping that Malen does not come back to haunt his former side although, should he make his debut at the Emirates, his pace and power could cause Arsenal problems on the counter attack.

Arsenal will be hoping that they can keep the door shut on Malen and fellow dangermen Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran as they bid to take another step towards an elusive Premier League crown.