Arsenal v Aston Villa preview

O'Neill: Has improved squad

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Skysports.com prediction: 2-2

SKY BET odds: Arsenal 8/11, Draw 5/2, Villa 4/1

One to Watch: James Milner

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Aston Villa will attempt to demonstrate that they are the real deal in their quest to break the cartel of the Premier League's Big Four when they travel to Arsenal on Sunday.

The Emirates Stadium meeting demonstrates the potentially changing face of the Premier League as Martin O'Neill's Villa could move three points above Arsene Wenger's Arsenal with a victory.

Ahead of the Boxing Day fixtures, the Gunners occupy third spot but they will be well aware of the threat of fourth-placed Villa, whose shock defeat to Wigan on the opening day of the season now seems a lifetime ago.

Villa could complete a quartet of victories over the perceived elite of England's top four if they leave North London with a win, having already defeated Liverpool, Chelsea and defending champions Manchester United this season.

Sceptics would suggest that Villa threatened to finish in the top four last season and won at the Emirates last November before falling away, but O'Neill's men have an improved squad and resolve this term and appear very well equipped.

Arsenal will therefore be keen to demonstrate their ability. It has been a frustrating season for the Gunners as just when they appear to be title contenders they suffer a surprise setback to offer ammunition for critics, such as the recent draw at Burnley.

Bad tempered

Hull City were swept aside in Arsenal's last outing and both clubs have been charged with failing to control their players following a bad-tempered encounter. Villa's last match was a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke City.

Arsenal could have captain Cesc Fabregas back from a hamstring injury, while Armand Traore undergoes a test on an identical problem.

However, Wenger will still be without Nicklas Bendtner, Tomas Rosicky and Gael Clichy on a lengthy injury list.

Dutch striker Robin van Persie is another player on the sidelines and Wenger has confessed that he may look to sign a forward in the transfer window.

Emile Heskey is Villa's biggest injury worry ahead of the crucial festive double-header away to Arsenal on Sunday and at home to Liverpool two days later.

The England striker suffered a groin injury during the 1-0 home success against Stoke that kept Villa in the top four.

O'Neill is hopeful Heskey will be fit enough for at least one of the two forthcoming games but does have a ready-made replacement in John Carew.

Possible starting XIs

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Walcott, Arshavin, Nasri.

Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, A Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor.