Theo Walcott
Arsenal striker Theo Walcott is set to make his first Premier League in over a year against Aston Villa on Sunday. Getty Images/Julian Finney

Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 1.30pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be available on Sky Sports 1and Sky Sports 1 HD. Catch the highlights on Match of the Day 2 at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Overview

Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, a clash that is crucial for both sides. Arsenal need the three points for a place in the top four and Villa, on the other hand, have to arrest their slump which has seen them fail to score a goal since December 20.

The Gunners have won nine of their last 11 games and scored 24 goals in the process. The north London club will want to continue that run and make up ground on the teams above them in the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger will have to make a few changes to the team that beat Brighton last weekend. Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also failed to recover, and that could see Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott being handed their first league starts since their recovery. The manager has hinted that January defender signing Gabriel Paulista could also make his debut.

Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke will hope to repeat his heroics from last season and get a win for Aston Villa against Arsenal on Sunday. Getty Images

The Villa Park outfit come to the Emirates hoping to pull off a win against Arsenal like they did at the start of the last season.

Paul Lambert's team have registered just three points in their last seven Premier League games and will be hoping to kick-start their season as the relegation battle heats up.

But the manager feels that his team are confident and upbeat ahead of their clash and believes new signings Charles Gil and Scott Sinclair along with Fabian Delph's surprise contract extension will give the team a much needed boost for the rest of the campaign.

Betting Odds (By 888Sport.com)

  • Arsenal Win: 1/4
  • Draw: 5
  • Aston Villa Win: 13

What Managers Say

Arsene Wenger: "We know we are in an important period of the season where our commitment needs to be at the top level. Now consistency will decide our future. That's why this game against Villa is important."

Paul Lambert: "We go to Arsenal with plenty of confidence and with guys who are really enjoying their football. They are a good side. We have gone there before and won. It's a great place to play football. We will go there with confidence and try to win. There are good signs at the club. The way the lads train, work, apply themselves - I couldn't ask for any more."

Team News

Arsenal

  • Injured: Arteta (calf), Wilshere (ankle), Welbeck (Thigh), Sanchez (hamstring), Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin), Debuchy (shoulder)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla; Walcott, Giroud, Ozil.

Aston Villa

  • Injured: N/A
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Baker, Cissokho; Gil, Westwood, Delph, Cleverley; Agbonlahor, Benteke.

Arsenal FC Arsene Wenger