Aston Villa vs. Arsenal preview: First big test for the Gunners

Aston Villa and Arsenal have begun the Premier League season in contrasting fashion, but a trip to Villa Park presents the first major test for Mikel Arteta and his men on Monday evening.

Arsenal to flex their muscles once again

Chants of “one nil to the Arsenal” have been commonplace around the Emirates in recent years, but the Gunners exploded out of the blocks against Coventry in their first league match of the campaign.

Goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard effectively sealed the victory after just 49 minutes. The scoreline could have been better, though, but Arteta will have been pleased at both winning the three points and the manner in which they were won.

The psychological barrier has now been removed and Arsenal can play without the same sort of restrictions that have hindered the side in recent years. In saying that, the foot simply cannot come off the pedal, especially with tougher tasks awaiting the North Londoners. A trip to Villa Park has proven problematic in recent years. Indeed, Villa secured victories at home against Arsenal last season and during the 2023/24 campaign.

Should the Gunners begin in a similar fashion as they did against Coventry, then Unai Emery’s outfit might be blown away. The shackles are off for Arsenal now, that much is certain.

Aston Villa looking to bounce back after opening day defeat

Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans sold; Ollie Watkins refusing to play. It appeared as though Villa were always destined to struggle against Brighton last weekend.

Losing 4-0, however? Conceding all four goals in the first half wasn’t exactly the start anyone expected.

Emery has been forced to constantly sell his best players and replace them with cheaper alternatives due to financial regulations accrued from the previous few summers.

There are only so many miracles one man can achieve and it looks as though the Spaniard is running out of magic.

Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Joao Gomes are all good signings, but can they effectively replace those who have departed? It will take time for the summer arrivals to settle, and we mustn’t look too much into that dismal loss last week. Villa failed to win any of their opening five Premier League matches last season, scoring just once in the process.

33 games later, Emery had led his side to a fourth-place finish in the top flight, while also leading Villa to the Europa League title.

The 54-year-old has steered his side to three wins over Arsenal across seven previous matches in the top flight. Crucially, two of those have come at Villa Park. He will be hoping to get a third on Monday evening.

Team news

Arteta will still be without both Jurriën Timber and William Saliba for this tie, although Bruno Guimarães could return to the squad.

Konsa will likely begin the tie on the bench as Arteta wont shift from the defensive personnel that kept a clean sheet last time out.

Emery will be missing Manzambi, Brian Madjo and Amadou Onana for this game due to injury, while Gomes is suspended for three matches.

Both Jackson and Leon Goretzka could make their first appearances for Villa in this tie.

Prediction

When the fixture list was released, Arteta would have earmarked this tie as one that could be a potential banana skin to Arsenal.

Recent events, however, ensure that the Gunners enter the clash as favourites to claim all three points.

Another comfortable win will further boost the confidence at the Emirates and deliver a statement of intent to the chasing pack.

Score prediction: Aston Villa 0 – 2 Arsenal.