Aston Villa (h) ...

After the delights of a North London derby win we face a team that has become a bit of a nemesis for us. With ex-Arsenal boss Emery in charge and gobshite Argie Emi Martinez in goal, there has been a little bit extra in these games recently. Villa, of course, did a title hope ending double over us last season. We got a small bit of revenge at Villa Park with Trossard and Partey netting in a 2 goal win. The defeat at the Emirates last season remains our last home league defeat.

No real news on anyone returning to action, with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu joined by Riccardo Calafiori last week and Jesus being ruled out for a long, long time. I think we can expect Martinelli to come back into the starting XI at the expense of Sterling, while Merino may refresh the midfield if Partey or Rice need to be taken out. Otherwise it looks as if it has to remain the same.

Aston Villa could unleash another former Gunner - Donyell Malen. After being described as "too fat", Malen left us for PSV before really making his name at Dortmund. Now he is having another shot at English football with the Villains. Villa also have Jhon Duran free from suspension, but John McGinn is out injured. Ross Barkley, Pau Torres and Diego Carlos will also miss the game.

Villa have had sketchy form this season, with the Champions League overshadowing the domestic league. They have won the last 2, plus a cup win over West Ham, and are 3 unbeaten in the league. They have already lost away to Liverpool, Spurs, Newcastle, Chelsea and Forest and the only top 10 side they have won away at is Fulham. While their away form is middling, we have the best home record in the league.



Beyond Villa the schedule doesn't ease up until mid February, where a trip to Dubai may be possible!
Dinamo Zagreb are up next, hopefully a game we can get done early doors and make a lot of subs. They haven't played since mid-December and were in a run of 1 win in 6 in the league. They sit in 24th in the CL league table ahead of the likes of PSG and Stuttgart in the last qualifying place.
Our first trip up the country in some time follows, with the away game against Wolves before the final CL league game away to Girona - again, hopefully a chance to rotate and rest.
February starts with Manchester City and then the EFL Cup semi second leg. A 10 day break will follow that as long as we finish top 8 in the CL league phase and avoid the 2 legged play-off.

With no new signing seemingly close, it remains a hectic period where any win will do. Performances can take a back seat to points, just get the job done and hope Liverpool continue to slip up.