Unai Emery says Donyell Malen is available to make his Aston Villa debut against Arsenal.

Malen sealed a £21million switch to Villa Park earlier this week and has been training with his new team-mates this week.

The versatile Dutchman, who can operate in all three positions behind the striker, gives Emery’s men an added threat as they continue to compete in the Premier League and Champions League.

Emery said: “Most of the time he plays as a number seven and sometimes as a number 11 on the left, while he can also play as a number ten.”

“In the attacking third, he is always close to getting into the opposition box to score goals and get assists. We will need players like him who want to threaten the defenders.

Villa around the corner

Villa ended a five-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over Everton on Wednesday thanks to Ollie Watkins’ winner at Goodison Park, as they started the year with three consecutive wins.

Emery added: “We can have a bit of confidence after the win at Everton, but the challenge tomorrow is to be competitive. By being competitive, we can be close to a good result.

“Arsenal tomorrow will be very difficult. Every game we face is very difficult – even at Everton.

“We are preparing for the game, we are very motivated and we will try to play, improve what we did at Everton and improve what we did in the last game against the top teams in the Premier League.

“Tomorrow we play one of the favorites to win the Premier League.”

Unai Emery: “We can have a little confidence after the win at Everton, but the challenge tomorrow is to try to be competitive again. Being competitive, we can get closer to getting a good result.” pic.twitter.com/uwdGUgXMWv

– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 17, 2025

Emirates return

Emery returns to the Emirates on Saturday for the first time since the former Arsenal man ended the Gunners’ hopes with a 2-0 victory in April last year.

“This is different (Villa’s win against Arsenal last season). That was a very special moment for them and for us because they were in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and we were in the Conference League.

“We had the best competition of the season in 90 minutes and we won, but it was very difficult. This year is different. There are not many things the same as last year, it will be different and we have to try to play, compete with the mentality we have.

“We have to build the team as we are doing and try to be confident and feel good. Every player has to be confident, and this is the game we have tomorrow.”

Villa’s harmful news

Turning to Villa’s injury news, Emery said: “Pau Torres is out and unavailable, John McGinn is training on the pitch but not (ready) tomorrow.”

“Ross Barkley is still out. Diego Carlos in the medical report is not feeling well and I think he will not take part tomorrow.”