ARSENAL visit Aston Villa in what is already shaping up to be a huge clash in the Premier League.
Both sides got off to winning starts last week as Arsenal look to mount another serious title challenge and Villa look to build on last season’s fourth-place finish.
Jurrien Timber starts at the back, coming in for Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Gabriel Jesus is out of the squad entirely due to injury.
- Kick off time: 5.30pm BST
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main / Premier League
- Live stream: NOW / Sky Go
- Aston Villa team: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers, Watkins
- Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
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Today’s full-times
- Brighton 2 Manchester United 1
- Crystal Palace 0 West Ham United 2
- Fulham 2 Leicester City 1
- Manchester City 4 Ipswich Town 1
- Southampton 0 Nottingham Forest 1
- Tottenham Hotspur 4 Everton 0
How you can watch
The game is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
You can also stream the coverage on Now TV and Sky Go.
It kicks off at 5:30pm, and you won’t want to miss it.
Who’s officiating?
- Referee: Michael Oliver.
- Assistants: Stuart Burt and Dan Cook.
- Fourth official: Darren England.
- VAR: Peter Bankes.
- Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart.
Last 10 Prem meetings
Apr 14, 2024: Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Dec 09, 2023: Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal (Premier League)
Feb 18, 2023: Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal (Premier League)
Aug 31, 2022: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Mar 19, 2022: Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
Oct 22, 2021: Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Feb 06, 2021: Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal (Premier League)
Nov 08, 2020: Arsenal 0-3 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Jul 21, 2020: Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal (Premier League)
Sep 22, 2019: Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)Meanwhile…
Emi Martinez has signed a contract extension with Villa.
He joined the club from Arsenal and has continued to excel between the sticks.
Unai Emery revealed: “We are very happy because Emiliano Martínez is very important. He’s involved completely in this project.
“When I arrived here, I knew him before because we were working in Arsenal together. I knew his mentality and even now it’s stronger than before because he’s achieving individual objectives with his national team and here with Aston Villa.
“His extension is fantastic for us and very good for every supporter of Aston Villa, we can be proud of him.”
And here’s the Villa XI
Team news
Here’s the team facing Villa.
Timber starts instead of Zinchenko.
What the bookies say
Here are the latest odds from BetMGM.
Match Result:
- Aston Villa – 19/5
- Draw – 14/5
- Arsenal – 7/10
Emery’s thoughts
We are excited, we are motivated, but we have to show again our capacity.
“If we are able to repeat with the different players, with the different ways, one year more here how we can compete, how we can face teams like Arsenal.
“The challenge is motivating for us and our supporters to face them.”
Arteta on Villa challenge
Mikel Arteta on facing Aston Villa this evening after Unai Emery’s side did the double over the Gunners last season.
He said: “They scored and we didn’t, it’s very simple. In two games, even though we had an enormous amount of chances to do that, and that was one of the big differences, one of the details we have analysed. We have to do better tomorrow.
“They are a really good side, really well coached. They dominate every aspect of the game.
“When you give them space to run they are phenomenal and when they have to find space they are able to do that.
“Set pieces as well. That’s why they did what they did last season.”
Credit: Getty Jesus out for Gunners
Gabriel Jesus has not travelled with the Arsenal squad to Villa Park due to a groin issue.
Kai Havertz will likely lead the line once again after picking up a goal in the 2-0 win over Wolves on opening weekend.
Credit: Getty Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of Aston Villa vs Arsenal!
The Gunners head to Villa Park after a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolves on opening weekend.
Villa also got off to a winning start, beating West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium, thanks to a late Jhon Duran winner.
Arsenal are looking to mount another serious title challenge this season and put an end to Manchester City’s dominance.
While Unai Emery’s men will be hoping the distraction of Champions League football won’t hinder their great progress last term.
Credit: EPA
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
