Arsenal v Aston Villa

Arsenal will be waiting on the fitness of captain Cesc Fabregas for the visit of Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fabregas missed the 3-0 win over Hull last week with a minor hamstring strain but may have recovered sufficiently to make himself available for the visit of fourth-placed Villa.

Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Robin van Persie (ankle) remain sidelined, along with full-back Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee), while Armand Traore could be ready to return.

Emile Heskey is Aston 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 in the Barclays Premier League.

Villa boss Martin 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.

O'Neill is unlikely to make many changes for the visit to the Emirates Stadium as Villa strive for a fifth successive league win.

Arsenal squad: Almunia, Silvestre, Vermaelen, Gallas, Sagna, Song, Denilson, Fabregas, Diaby, Nasri, Walcott, Arshavin, Fabianski, Vela, Eduardo, Wilshere, Eboue, Ramsey, Senderos.

Aston Villa squad: Friedel, Guzan, Luke Young, Beye, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Ashley Young, Petrov, Milner, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Downing, Delph, Gardner, Agbonlahor, Heskey Carew, Clark.