---
title: "Aston Villa predicted XI: Arsenal (H)"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/06/aston-villa-predicted-xi-arsenal-home/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa Match Previews"
published: "2021-02-06T08:15:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-06T08:15:00Z"
---

# Aston Villa predicted XI: Arsenal (H)

[Aston Villa](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/06/aston-villa-morning-news-round-up-6th-february-2021/) host Arsenal in the Premier League this afternoon and will be desperate for a result as their form has been [patchy of late](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/spielplandatum/verein/405). Dean Smith’s men underwhelmed in [Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham United](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/Aston-Villa-1-3-West-Ham-United/), so we anticipate [two changes to the starting lineup](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3429703) for today’s clash.

**Emiliano Martinez** let in two soft goals by his standards [against West Ham](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485339/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-West-Ham) but will want to perform against the club which [sold him only five months ago](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-20m-emiliano-martinez-transfer-goalkeeper-aston-villa-a4548496.html). After such an outstanding debut season, he won’t lose his place for one below-par performance.

**Matty Cash** [wasn’t at his best](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/322043/MatchStatistics/Matthew-Cash) on Wednesday, but no Villa player [had more tackles and accurate crosses](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485339/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-West-Ham) than the 23-year-old, so he should keep his spot at right-back. **Matt Targett** also [struggled by his standards](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/136776/MatchStatistics/Matt-Targett) in midweek, but he is comfortably ahead of Neil Taylor in the [pecking order](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/ausfallzeiten/verein/405) and is only being replaced if injured.

**Tyrone Mings** and **Ezri Konsa** don’t need to worry about losing their places while Kortney Hause is [injured](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/The-Presser-Smith-speaks-ahead-of-Arsenal/), as Bjorn Engels is [only a last resort](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/leistungsdaten/verein/405). The 26-year-old isn’t likely to feature unless injury stuck the defence again.

**Douglas Luiz** [struggled against West Ham](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485339/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-West-Ham) and was hauled off in the second half by Smith, but he should start today. The 22-year-old still [turned over the ball four times](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485339/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-West-Ham) on Wednesday, so he should be excused one sub-par performance without losing his place.

John McGinn [looked tired in midweek](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485339/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-West-Ham) and couldn’t get his hands on any player in midfield, so he might benefit from a rest. Marvelous Nakamba [impressed](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/243249/MatchStatistics/Marvelous-Nakamba)when deputising for the 26-year-old against Newcastle United, but **Morgan Sanson** might get the nod as the [more composed](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/115508/Show/Morgan-Sanson) footballer. McGinn is better than Luiz to bring off the bench with his high levels of industry, but it would be a big call to drop him.

**Anwar El Ghazi** was [poor against West Ham](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485339/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-West-Ham) and ended up being substituted at half-time, but he might actually get the nod this afternoon. He started on the right wing on Wednesday but might swap flanks this weekend.

Ross Barkley might be dropped [after his below-par display](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/MatchStatistics/Ross-Barkley) to allow **Jack Grealish** to take up a central role, with the left wing covered by El Ghazi. That leaves **Bertrand Traore** to [return to the starting XI](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bertrand-traore/leistungsdaten/spieler/131996)on the right flank after being benched in midweek.

**Ollie Watkins** [impressed against the Hammers](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485339/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-West-Ham) and got on the scoresheet, so his place in the side is guaranteed. Villa would be in trouble without him.

***Predicted XI v Arsenal:*** *Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Sanson; Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi; Watkins*