Preview: Aston Villa v. Arsenal

Villa Park, Birmingham
Wednesday, January 27
1945 GMT, 2:45 pm EST

• Referee: Lee Probert
• This Match, Last Year: Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal
  
• Arsenal's Recent Form: W-W-W-D-W-W
• Aston Villa's Recent Form: W-W-W-L-L-D
  

Predicted Line-Up
guesses italicized

Almunia
Sagna - Gallas - Vermaelen - Clichy
Fabregas - Denilson - Ramsey
Rosicky - Arshavin - Eduardo

Subs from: Fabianski, Wilshere, Traore, Nasri, Vela, Bendtner, Eastmond
Out: Merida (ankle), Song and Eboue (Africa Cup), Diaby (calf), Gibbs (foot), Van Persie (ankle), Djourou (knee)

• Nasri and Bendtner are both back to fitness and available, but both are expected to start on the bench.
  
• Ramsey may not start as he's coming back from injury as well; if he doesn't, Eastmond will probably start in the middle again.
• Jack Wilshere is still questionable, this time with illness. He's also expected to be loaned out soon, so the next time we see him, he might not be wearing the Arsenal jersey.
• Bacary Sagna will start, but his shoulder problem is "still not completely clear."
• Arsenal can go back to the table with a win, though if Chelsea beats Birmingham, the Gunners will only go top if they win by at least as many goals as Chelsea does.
• An Arsenal win would also give Arsene Wenger 300 career Premier League wins.
• Arsenal have not lost at Villa Park since December 1998.