Arsenal were lucky to salvage a point in Patrick Vieira's homecoming on Monday night, but this time it will also be the homecoming of Emiliano Martinez who spent eight years at the club and at 29-years-old has found himself as the starting goalkeeper for both Aston Villa and Argentina. 

The Gunners will be grateful for substitute Alexandre Lacazette who netted in the 95th minute after a calamitous display even after scoring first in the eighth minute. Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has picked up some form scored once again, tapping in from close range after a superb Nicolas Pepe attempt was saved by Vicente Guaita. Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard initiated the comeback after halftime but the Frenchman came off the bench for the Gunners to share the spoils in overtime. 

Aston Villa will also be disappointed with their result last week, having been 2-0 up until the final ten minutes, but went on to lose 3-2 with Ruben Neves' deflected free-kick sending Martinez the wrong way. Danny Ings and John McGinn- who has been excellent for Villa and Scotland- both scored, but were cancelled out by Roman Saiss and Conor Coady

It will also be a chance for an Arsenal summer target who snubbed them for the Villains in Emiliano Buendia, who will be looking to try to find areas behind Arsenal's defence. The Argentine has recorded one goal in six appearances so far and will be looking to add more on Friday night. 

Arsenal sit in 11th place in the Premier League currently while Aston Villa are just under in 12th with a one-point difference between the two sides. The winner of this match will go above in the table, so it's definitely all to play for under the lights yet again. 

Previous Meeting:

It was the Ollie Watkins show last season at the Emirates Stadium, with Aston Villa running through Arsenal. Bukayo Saka turned it into his own net on the quarter-hour mark and Watkins doubled, then tripled the lead in the second half with some excellent finishes.

Team News- Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is without Granit Xhaka who sustained a knee injury last month and photos have been released with him recovering at the training centre in the last two weeks.

Bukayo Saka is a doubt after being taken off at halftime during the Palace match after a nasty and controversial tackle by James McArthur right on the brink of halftime.

Kieran Tierney is also a doubt having taken a knock as well on Monday, but should be OK to play, if not Nuno Tavares is there to provide solid backup. 

Team News- Aston Villa

Aston Villa will be aided with summer signing Leon Bailey returning to the side who has been impressive so far.

Dean Smith will also have Matty Cash who should be available to slot right back in at right-back after returning from a small leg injury.

Trezeguet is still out injured for the Villains and won't be in the squad. 

Predicted Lineups:

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Lokonga, Ødegaard, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang, Lacazette

Aston Villa: Martinez, Mings, Tuanzebe, Konsa, Targett, Cash, McGinn, Luiz, Watkins, Buendia, Ings

When and where to watch:

The match is being played at the Emirates Stadium at 8pm UK time and is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League. If you would like to read more analysis from VAVEL UK, check out Arsenal VAVEL and Aston Villa VAVEL after the match for more. 

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