The Villans come in on the back of a club record 11 consecutive wins in all competitions, leaving a trail of fallen teams including Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, who they defeated 2-1 at Villa Park in the reverse fixture earlier in December thanks to a dramatic late goal from Emiliano Buendía.

Arsenal lay down their biggest marker yet in the Premier League title race with a 4-0 thumping of Aston Villa at the Emirates, ending the Lions' marvellous 11-match winning run in all tournaments.

An emphatic win over a title rival answered many of the questions that had been bubbling up around Mikel Arteta's side