'The Game Plan' - Matchday 19 Preview

There are also two games which kick off at 20.15, Manchester United host Wolverhampton Wanderers while the standout fixture of the night is surely the clash at the Emirates Stadium, where league leaders Arsenal host third-placed Aston Villa.

Arsenal - Aston Villa

The two sides are separated by just three points, although Arsenal’s superior goal difference means Villa would need a remarkable seven goal victory to leapfrog the Gunners at the top of the table. Just 25 days ago, Villa head coach Unai Emery, who previously managed Arsenal between 2018 and 2019 masterminded a dramatic 2–1 victory over his former club. Emery’s late, impactful substitutions proved decisive, with Emi Buendía coming off the bench to score a stunning 95th-minute winner. The goal left several Arsenal players slumped to the turf in frustration, some thumping the ground while others looked towards the bench, shaking their heads in disbelief.

I wouldn’t suggest that the defeat destabilised Arsenal or necessarily galvanised Aston Villa, but since that result Villa have continued to overcome every opponent in their path, even when gifting some a one-goal head start. Arsenal, for their part, have won all three league matches since the loss, yet they have appeared slightly less buoyant. The defeat brought an end to their 18-game unbeaten run, and in doing so seemed to puncture the sense of invincibility that had surrounded them.

A victory for Aston Villa, who are currently on an eight-game winning run in the league, would see them draw level on points with the leaders. With each passing game, Villa have grown in stature, displaying impressive team unity, understanding, and a clear passion and desire.
In form forwards Ollie Watkins; a prolific scorer against the Gunners, along with Ian Maatsen and the ever improving Morgan Rogers, will be eager to inspire their side past what promises to be a stubborn Arsenal defence.
Since mid-November, Arsenal have been without their colossal centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, alongside several other defenders, as they endured a defensive injury crisis. However, Gabriel is expected to start this encounter after making a late substitute appearance in Saturday’s victory over Everton. His presence and leadership have been sorely missed, as he commands attention in both penalty areas and is influential across the pitch.
It promises to be a cagey yet enthralling contest, with momentum, bragging rights, and early New Year supremacy all at stake.

The key question remains: Can Villa’s attack break down the bold pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, arguably the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League, if not in Europe?

Four of Tuesday night’s fixtures kick off at 19:30 and see teams in and around the relegation zone facing sides battling for European qualification.

• Burnley v Newcastle - After finally halting a seven-match losing run with a point against Everton, can Burnley finish the year with a three-point celebration for their supporters? Or will Newcastle bounce back from a frustrating defeat at Old Trafford, a match they controlled against a weakened Manchester United side but couldn’t convert into goals?

• Chelsea v Bournemouth - Chelsea and Bournemouth played out a goalless draw earlier in the month, and both sets of supporters will be hoping for a marked improvement on that contest, as well as on their overall form for the month. Bournemouth in particular are still searching for a win in December, having drawn three and lost two of their five matches, collecting just three points from a possible 15. Chelsea have fared slightly better, winning one, drawing two and losing two, for a total of five points over the same period.

• Nottingham Forest v Everton - Nottingham Forest’s spirited performance against a free flowing Manchester City side, despite ending in defeat, should offer plenty of encouragement ahead of their clash with Everton. The Toffees remain extremely difficult to break down defensively, but they are currently lacking cutting edge in attack, with goals proving hard to come by in recent matches. Morgan Gibbs-White and Gabriel Jesus will be eager to atone for missed chances in the previous game and help give the Forest faithful a cheerful end to the year.

  
  

• West ham v Brighton - Both sides have endured a challenging and winless December, losing three games and drawing two. In fact one of the draws came between the two sides earlier in the month 7th December finishing 1 - 1 with goals from West ham's Jarrod Bowen and Brighton's Geoginio Rutter.
  If recent form is anything to go by then this game could pattern into an eventful or uneventful draw.

Thursday 1st January New Years Day fixtures

17.30 Kick off

• Crystal Palace v Fulham -

• Liverpool v Leeds -

20.00 Kick off

• Sunderland v Manchester City -

• Brentford v Tottenham -