Arsenal face a key clash against high-flying Aston Villa in the Premier League as they nurse a cluster of defensive injuries.

The Gunners guaranteed top spot at Christmas with their hard-fought victory over Everton and currently hold a two-point lead over their nearest challengers Manchester City. With Pep Guardiola’s men in exceptional form and Aston Villa firmly in the title picture, complacency can’t be accepted against Brighton.

The sample size so far is miniscule, Jesus having played barely an hour of football this season, but the signs are that he has returned with a bang. Against Club Brugge he crashed a shot against the crossbar and the pressure he placed on Yerson Mosquera was enough to force the own goal that beat Wolves.