Sunderland, England - Arsene Wenger heads into the Boxing Day match-up with Aston Villa vowing his Arsenal side can still challenge for the Premier League title, despite the news that his captain Cesc Fabregas will miss the next four months with a knee injury. Villa, though, provide a stern test, and a defeat for Arsenal would mean them slipping six points behind their opponents, placing their qualification for the Champions League in jeopardy.
"I believe we are able to do it (without him)," Wenger said.
"We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate for the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more.
"I'm sure we can deal with it. When he comes back he can help us get over the line in the final months."
Villa have won their last three games, but manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed he will be looking to strengthen in the January window.
His priority will almost certainly be a forward, with striker John Carew suffering back problems.
Manchester United return from winning the Club World Cup in Japan to face Stoke City.
Results went well in their absence, and they trail leaders Liverpool by just seven points with two games in hand.
Dimitar Berbatov could return from a hamstring problem, but Patrice Evra is suspended for his part in a post-match altercation with a groundsman at Chelsea last season.
"I would like to thank the FA for my little holiday," he said, sarcastically. "It means I can spend more time with my family over Christmas."
Leaders Liverpool host Bolton Wanderers, and hope to have their manager Rafa Benitez back in the dug-out after he underwent treatment for kidney stones.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be optimistic of improving a record that has seen them drop 14 points at home as they host bottom of the table West Brom.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side will, though, be without captain John Terry who is suspended after his red card in the 0-0 draw at Everton on Monday.
The crucial game at the bottom sees Blackburn Rovers travel to Sunderland, both of whom have been buoyed by new managers.
Blackburn won their first game under Sam Allardyce, beating Stoke 3-0 last week, while Sunderland, after a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, have beaten West Brom 4-0 and Hull City 4-1 under Ricky Sbragia's caretaker tenure.
