Arsenal v Aston Villa preview

Almunia: Head injury

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Skysports.com prediction: Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 1
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Arsenal's leading men are expected to return against Aston Villa after their understudies impressed in midweek.

Arsene Wenger continued his Carling Cup policy of resting his first-team regulars and handing a chance for his fringe players to shine in the midweek clash with Wigan.

Wenger changed his entire starting XI from the victory over Manchester United and the second string took their chance with both hands as a scintillating display put the Latics to the sword.

But the only player on duty against Wigan likely to retain his place against Villa is goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who replaced Manuel Almunia in the closing stages against United after the Spaniard suffered a head injury in a clash with Michael Carrick.

Almunia has returned to training and will be assessed in a match scenario on Friday before Wenger makes a decision on his inclusion, but would have no concerns turning to Fabianski who kept a clean sheet against the Latics and produced a stunning late double save to deny Daniel de Ridder and Amr Zaki.

Young forward Carlos Vela further enhanced his reputation in midweek, but the Mexican is yet to start a Premier League game and is likely to be on the bench once again.

Nicklas Bendtner is set to lead the Gunners line again, although Emmanuel Adebayor is rated 50-50 to return from his ankle injury sustained in the defeat at Stoke and faces a late fitness test.

Robin van Persie serves the final game of his three-match suspension and Emmanuel Eboue remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Villa news

Villa have recorded 1-1 draws on both their previous visits to Emirates Stadium but have not beaten the Gunners in North London in any of their last 14 Premier League fixtures.

Martin O'Neill's men remain in fifth place in the Premier League table but are as close to rock-bottom West Brom as they are to leaders Chelsea after successive defeats at the hands of North East duo Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Striker John Carew remains a doubt with a hip problem for the Midlands side, so Gabriel Agbonlahor could be supported by James Milner.

O'Neill is hoping to have midfielder Stiliyan Petrov and right-back Luke Young available for selection after their recent absences through injury.

Petrov has not featured in the last three games because of a hamstring complaint while Young missed the games with Slavia Prague and Middlesbrough due to a thigh problem.

Possible starting XIs:

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Diaby, Bendtner.

Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Cuellar, Laursen, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Barry, A Young, Milner, Agbonlahor.