Meeting for the second time in four weeks, Arsenal welcome Villa to the Emirates on Tuesday evening in what should be a thrilling clash between two sides who find themselves in an intense title race.
Arsenal have also won nine of their last 10 Premier League home games, including all of the last six and will be aiming to bounce back after their loss against Villa last time out.
However, manager Arteta will be without a number of players, including defender Riccardo Calafiori who withdrew from the warm-up against Brighton and being replaced in the starting line-up by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Fellow defender Ben White is also out with a hamstring injury, whilst Cristhian Mosquera is still suffering from an ankle injury which leave the Gunners open in defence.
To add to their defensive woes, right back Jurrien Timber is a doubt for the clash as he landed awkwardly during training before the Brighton game.
Most shockingly is that Rice, who started the game at right-back against Brighton is also reportedly set to miss the game. The Athletic report that "Rice appears not quite ready, and it looks likely he will be left out in order to avoid the risk of aggravating the issue further."
Kai Havertz, although very close to a return after a long-term knee injury, will also be absent even though he returned to training over the past week. Arteta described his availability as a "matter of days”.
Finally, youngster Max Dowman will miss the Villa clash after suffering significant ankle ligament damage which will leave him out of action for a number of months.
A win for Villa could send them to joint top, with Arsenal leading on goal difference. Meanwhile, a win for Arteta's men could send them five points clear before Manchester City face Sunderland later this week.