12 players to miss Arsenal vs Aston Villa with final update ahead of title showdown

Arsenal's final Premier League test of 2025 is set up to be one of their biggest, as the league leaders welcome third-placed Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Mikel Arteta's side cling to top spot ahead of the start of the new year, sitting above the rest with 42 points after 18 fixtures played. Villa are just three points behind, two places lower in the standings, with Manchester City sandwiched between them.

Victory would stamp down Arsenal's credentials as the early favourites to win the Premier League, though more points dropped would significantly loosen their grip. Unai Emery's team already beat them in the reverse fixture at Villa Park, as part of the visitors' ongoing 11-game winning streak in all competitions.

Now they face off again in north London, where both have several injuries and absentees to contend with.

Whoever is able to work past their troubles, will give themselves the best chance of victory, to head into 2026 full of confidence for the second half of the campaign.

football.london goes through the players from both camps set to miss out, now that both managers have provided full updates ahead of the clash.