Team News: Bernd Leno, Emile Smith Rowe start for Arsenal against Aston Villa

Bernd Leno and Emile Smith Rowe have returned to the Arsenal first XI for Saturday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Leno has played second fiddle to Aaron Ramsdale for the majority of the 2021-22 season but makes his first Premier League start since August as his counterpart misses out through injury.

Meanwhile, Smith Rowe starts on the left-hand side of the Arsenal attack in place of Gabriel Martinelli, who has come down with an illness since the 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also not quite fit enough to return at right-back, with Cedric Soares continuing to deputise for the Japan international in an unchanged backline.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey reprise their roles in the middle of the park, as Smith Rowe joins attacking stalwarts Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette in the final third.

Arsenal starting lineup: Leno; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette

Substitutes: Okonkwo, Holding, Pepe, Tavares, Sambi Lokonga, Elneny, Nketiah, Swanson