Aston Villa vs Arsenal: first look, expected line-up, stats and where to watch G Trends

Arsenal will play their first away match in the 2026-27 season Premier League season on Monday evening when they travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa.

The defending champions made an excellent start to their title defense with a 3-0 win over Coventry City, while Villa suffered a nightmare opening weekend as they were thrashed 4-0 by Brighton.

Arsenal entered the new season among the favorites to retain the Premier League title, and their opening two matches did little to dampen those expectations.

Mikel Arteta’s side started their campaign with a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield before producing another convincing performance against Coventry in their league opener.

Arteta will also take charge of his 250th Premier League match on Monday evening, despite his side facing opponents who have caused them problems at Villa Park in recent seasons.

Villa have won three consecutive home Premier League matches against the defending champions, defeating Manchester City twice before beating Liverpool last season.

However, Unai Emery’s side could not have had a worse start to the new season.

Villa were beaten 4-0 by Brighton at the Amex Stadium, with Fabian Horzler’s side scoring all four goals before half-time.

Villa will be hoping their recent strong record at home against the defending champions will overcome the gap in form between the two teams.

Premier League table

Team news for Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Aston Villa could offer debuts for both Nicholas Jackson and Leon Goretzka after the duo were registered in time for Monday’s clash.

Joao Gomez has been suspended after receiving a red card against Brighton and will begin a three-match ban.

Amadou Onana remains unavailable due to a knee injury, while there are no significant updates on Johan Manzambi and Brian Magu, who are also expected to remain sidelined.

Ollie Watkins has completed his move to Al Hilal, leaving Jackson as a prime candidate to replace him at centre-forward.

For Arsenal, new signing Ezri Konsa is available to make his debut against his former club after completing a move to north London.

However, the defender is unlikely to replace Arteta’s preferred back four straight away.

Bruno Guimaraes is also in contention after recovering from a minor injury that kept him out of the opening day win over Coventry. Arteta confirmed that the midfielder has returned to training.

Jurian Timber remains sidelined with a thigh problem, while William Saliba continues to recover from a back injury.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are also expected to be ruled out amid uncertainty surrounding their futures at the Emirates.

The expected lineup for the match between Aston Villa and Arsenal

Aston Villa: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Ruggeri; Bogard, room; Buendia, Barkley, McGinn; Jackson

Arsenal: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiore; Rice Lewis Skelly. Saka, Odegaard, Zoulis; Havertz

Aston Villa and Arsenal match statistics

• Arsenal have won their last four away openers in the Premier League.
• Arsenal have scored six goals and have not conceded in their two competitive matches this season.
• Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield before defeating Coventry City 3-0 in the English Premier League.
• Aston Villa lost their opening match in the English Premier League to Brighton, 4-0.
• Villa have won their last three home Premier League matches against the defending champions.
• Aston Villa have won four of their last seven home Premier League meetings with Arsenal.
• Arsenal won 4-1 in the last meeting between the two teams at the Emirates Stadium, after Villa won 2-1 at Villa Park earlier in the season.
• – Arsenal kept a clean sheet in their last four opening matches away from home in the English Premier League.
• Villa was already 4-0 behind in the first half against Brighton and finished the match with ten men.
• Monday’s match will be Arteta’s 250th match in the English Premier League as Arsenal coach.

Where to watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal: TV and live stream online

Aston Villa vs Arsenal will take place at Villa Park on Monday 31 August, with kick-off at 8pm GMT.

The match is being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 6.30pm. The match has also been shown on Sky Sports Main Event Ultra HDR for compatible viewers.

Predict the result of the Aston Villa and Arsenal match

Aston Villa

0 – 2

Arsenal

Aston Villa’s record against the reigning champions at Villa Park makes this a tougher match for Arsenal than their opening day win over Coventry might suggest.

However, the contrast between the two teams’ opening performances was significant. Arsenal have already scored six goals without conceding, while Villa were dismantled by Brighton and will now have to deal with the absence of the suspended Joao Gomez.