The Birmingham club climbed to fourth place in the Premier League last season. Moreover, Emery managed to win his signature competition with the English side as well — the Europa League. His charges therefore began the new campaign with a noticeably revamped squad, losing 1-2 to PSG in the UEFA Super Cup. In the opening round against Brighton, they suffered an even heavier 0-4 defeat.
The London giants secured their first Premier League title in several decades last spring. They did, however, lose the League Cup final to Manchester City and then suffered a defeat on penalties against PSG in the decisive Champions League encounter. They began the current campaign with a UEFA Super Cup clash, this time against Maresca’s star-studded side, and won 3-0. In the opening round against newcomers Coventry, they repeated that winning scoreline.
The Europa League winner averaged 1.47 goals scored and 1.29 conceded per match in domestic competition. The champions, on their way to the title, scored 1.87 goals per game and, most importantly, conceded just 0.71.
Head to Head matches: Aston Villa vs Arsenal
The sides have each won three of their last seven encounters.
The visitors will be favorites not only for the season as a whole, but also for this particular fixture. We are backing them to claim another victory (odds – 1.60).
Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Key Statistics and Trends
Aston Villa have lost four consecutive matches.
Arsenal have won both of their competitive fixtures this season, recording convincing 3-0 victories in each.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Possible Starting Lineups
Aston Villa play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Bizot – Maatsen, Torres, Lindelöf, Cash – João Gomes, Kamara – Hemmings, Barkley, McGinn – Buendía
Arsenal play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Raya – Calafiori, Magalhães, Mosquera, White – Lewis-Skelly, Rice – Tzolis, Ødegaard, Saka – Havertz
