Arsenal will look to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season when they travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa on Monday night.
The match is scheduled for 8pm, with Arsenal arriving in confidence after a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City. Villa, meanwhile, will be looking to respond after suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Brighton in their opening league fixture.
Mikel Arteta’s side are aiming to make it two wins from two and continue their impressive record in opening away matches. Arsenal have won their first away league game in each of the last four seasons while keeping clean sheets in all four. However, they have never managed five consecutive seasons with victory in their opening away fixture.
Villa face a difficult challenge following a turbulent summer in which several important members of their Europa League-winning squad departed.
Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for a reported £117 million, Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United, Lucas Digne transferred to Paris Saint-Germain, while striker Ollie Watkins completed a move to Al Hilal. Arsenal also signed centre-back Ezri Konsa from Villa in a deal reportedly worth around £55 million.
Konsa could make his Arsenal debut against his former club, adding another intriguing storyline to the fixture.
The defender missed Arsenal’s opening league victory, but Arteta has suggested that he could be ready to feature at Villa Park. His arrival is also viewed as a significant development in Arsenal’s transfer strategy, despite the Gunners already possessing several defensive options.
For Villa manager Unai Emery, the priority is to produce an immediate response.
His team conceded four goals before half-time against Brighton, while Joao Gomes was also sent off during a disastrous opening period. Villa consequently became only the second team in Premier League history to concede four goals, receive a red card and score an own goal in the first half.
The departure of Konsa has also raised concerns over Villa’s defensive strength. Their weaknesses were repeatedly exposed against Brighton, with individual mistakes contributing to the heavy defeat.
Villa will be without Gomes through suspension, while Amadou Onana is expected to miss the season after suffering an ACL injury. New signings Nicolas Jackson, Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leon Goretzka could also be in line for their Villa debuts.
Arsenal could welcome Bruno Guimaraes back into Premier League action following a groin problem, while Jurrien Timber is also approaching a return. William Saliba remains sidelined with a long-term back injury.
The Gunners have historically enjoyed playing at Villa Park, winning 15 Premier League matches at the stadium — more than at any other away venue in the competition.
Villa, however, claimed the spoils in the most recent meeting there, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory last season through Emiliano Buendia’s stoppage-time goal. Arsenal responded strongly in the return fixture, winning 4-1 at the Emirates.
Monday’s encounter therefore presents contrasting objectives for the two sides. Arsenal will be seeking another strong performance as they begin their title defence, while Villa are desperate to put their opening-day collapse behind them.
Arteta has also backed Emery to turn Villa’s fortunes around, describing his fellow Spaniard as one of the Premier League’s most experienced and successful managers.
“He is one of the most experienced managers in the league, and one of the most successful without a shadow of a doubt,” Arteta said.
“What Villa did last year and how they finished, it was an incredible season. It’s just one game and that’s it – I’m sure he will turn it around.”
With Arsenal chasing another victory and Villa determined to bounce back, Villa Park is set for a fascinating Premier League encounter.
