Team News: Aston Villa, Arsenal unchanged for Premier League showdown

Aston Villa and Arsenal have both named an unchanged starting lineup for this afternoon's Premier League clash at Villa Park.

The Gunners head into the match looking to reclaim top spot in the table, having slipped two points behind new leaders Manchester City on Saturday.

An impressive three-goal victory over Olympiacos in midweek ensured that Arsenal will remain in the Champions League post-Christmas, but rather than rest certain key players following the quick turnaround in games, Arsene Wenger has opted to stick with a winning formula.

That means Mesut Ozil retaining his place in midfield, while Theo Walcott also starts just off lone striker Olivier Giroud fresh on the back of the Frenchman's hat-trick in Athens.

Villa picked up a point away at Southampton eight days ago in their last outing, with Remi Garde deciding to go with the same side for the visit of his former team.

Rudy Gestede will give the Villans a big focal point up top, and support will provided by Jordan Ayew, Scott Sinclair and Carlos Sanchez for the Premier League strugglers.

There is also a place in the squad for Jack Grealish, who has been left out for the past couple of games, but he has to settle for a place among the subs.

Aston Villa: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Bacuna; Gana, Veretout; Sanchez, Sinclair, Ayew; Gestede Subs: Bunn, Clark, Westwood, Traore, Gil, Lyden, Grealish

Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Flamini, Ramsey; Campbell, Ozil, Walcott; Giroud Subs: Ospina, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Chambers, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi

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