No Declan Rice for Arsenal for Aston Villa visit

Arsenal's Mikel Merino will play in midfield. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Arsenal are without Declan Rice for tonight's top of the table Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.

His place in midfield is taken by Spaniard Mikel Merino.

Despite injury concerns over Jurrien Timber, who missed Saturday's win over Brighton, he starts at full-back, with Gabriel also returning to the centre of defence.

Viktor Gyokeres keeps his place up front for Arsenal, but Kai Havertz makes a return to the bench after a long injury lay-off.

Lamare Bogarde fills in at right back for Aston Villa in the absence of the suspended Matty Cash.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Havertz, Jesus.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne; Onana, Tielemans, Sancho, Rogers. Buendia. Watkins