Arsenal Chase Perfect EPL Start, Face New-look Villa
Arsenal will look to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season when they travel to face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday (8pm), with Unai Emery’s side entering the fixture after a major summer squad overhaul and a 4-0 opening-day defeat.
Arsenal, who opened their campaign with a win over Coventry, have won their first away game in each of the last four Premier League seasons and kept a clean sheet on each occasion.
They have never won their opening away game in five consecutive league campaigns, a Monday preview on the club website noted this.
Villa, meanwhile, have seen several key players leave the club since their impressive 2025/26 campaign, which ended with Champions League qualification and the Europa League title.
Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for £117m, Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United, Lucas Digne moved to Paris Saint-Germain, while Ezri Konsa is now an Arsenal player. Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez have also departed.
Only five starters from Villa’s Europa League final victory over Freiburg remain at the club.
Villa have also started the new campaign poorly, losing 4-0 away to Brighton after conceding all four goals before half-time.
Konsa set for Villa return
Konsa could make his Arsenal debut against his former club after his move, while Bruno Guimaraes could also make his Premier League debut for Arsenal after returning to training following a groin issue sustained in the Community Shield.
Jurrien Timber is nearing a return from a groin injury, although Monday’s game could come too early, while William Saliba remains out with a long-term back issue.
Villa will be without Joao Gomes after the midfielder was sent off against Brighton, while Amadou Onana is expected to miss the season with an ACL injury.
Johann Manzambi is also unavailable, while Tammy Abraham is struggling with a groin problem and Brian Madjo missed the opening league fixture with a knock.
New signings Nicolas Jackson, Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leon Goretzka could make their Villa debuts.
Arteta backs Emery to turn things around
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described Emery as one of the Premier League’s most experienced and successful managers, saying Villa’s performance last season was “an incredible season.”
“This is the best squad that we have, or we believe that we could have right now, and that’s it. That’s not the best squad that we’re going to have in a month’s time because hopefully the players will improve, the team will improve and we’ll be better.
“[Emery] is one of the most experienced managers in the league, and one of the most successful without a shadow of a doubt. 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,” Arteta said.
Arsenal’s strong Villa Park record
Arsenal have won 15 Premier League games at Villa Park, more than at any other away venue in the competition.
However, they lost their most recent visit last season, when Emiliano Buendia scored a 95th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory for Villa after Leandro Trossard had cancelled out Matty Cash’s opener.
Arsenal have won seven of their last 10 evening kick-offs against Villa in the Premier League, including their last three in a row.
Villa have won four of their seven home Premier League games against Arsenal since returning to the top flight in 2019.
The hosts have also won their last three Premier League home games against reigning champions.
Villa have failed to score in five of their last six Premier League games in August, including their last four across the last two seasons.
John McGinn has scored or assisted in each of his last six appearances at Villa Park in all competitions, registering five goals and two assists.
Kai Havertz, meanwhile, has been involved in seven goals in his last nine Arsenal appearances away from the Emirates Stadium, scoring five and assisting two.
Meanwhile, as released by the EPL, Jarred Gillett will referee the match, with Neil Davies and Steve Meredith as assistants, Sam Barrott as fourth official, James Bell as VAR and Nick Hopton as assistant VAR.
