Arsenal vs. Aston Villa match thread: go get ‘em
Arsenal face a tricky away test on Premier League Matchday 2 with a trip to Birmingham to face our old “friend” Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side. The Villains opened the season with a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Brighton, a contest that was over in the first half and before Joao Gomes earned himself a straight red in the 40th minute at 4-0 down. The Gunners kicked things off with flying colors, cruising to a 3-0 win at the Emirates against an over-matched Coventry City side.
Aston Villa have bedeviled Arsenal of late. Unai Emery always seems to get his side up to face his former employer. In the two matches last season, Villa generated nearly 18% of the total expected goals Arsenal conceded in the entire Premier League season. Villa beat Arsenal 2-1 in early December at Villa Park on a 2nd half added time Emi Buendia goal. Arsenal smashed Villa 4-1 at the Emirates at the end of that same month.
Ollie Watkins scored the lone goal for Villa in that match in the 94th minute, when things were more than already decided. He had to keep up his ridiculous scoring record against the Gunners, you see. No longer. Watkins is off to Al Hilal (to team up with Gabriel Martinelli). To counterbalance Watkins’ propensity for finding the scoresheet against Arsenal, Emi Martinez, who had lately been a shoe-in to concede at least one comical goal against the Gunners, is off to Chelsea. The Argentine will be replaced in the Villa goal by Zion Suzuki, bought from Parma. The Japanese international was born in New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother.
Familiar faces no longer with Aston Villa: Ezri Konsa (now at Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (£116M record fee to Chelsea), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United), Donyell Malen (Roma), Lucas Digne (PSG), Lewis Dobbin (Southampton), and Enzo Barrenechea (Benfica).
New additions to the Villa squad: Johan Manzambi (currently injured, see below), Nicolas Jackson, Leon Goretzka, Joao Gomes (suspended), Matteo Rugerri, Modou Keba Cisse, Alejandro Garnacho (on loan), Aaron Wan Bissaka (on loan), and the aforementioned Zion Suzuki.
Arsenal will be without William Saliba. The French centerback will be out of action until at least November recovering from a back injury. Jurrien Timber is still out of action, although he’s been working on grass for a couple weeks and is ramping up his load. He may return before the international break at the end of September, and if not, just afterwards. Bruno Guimaraes, who is being managed through a minor groin problem, traveled with the team to Birmingham but may or may not make the matchday squad. Ezri Konsa is expected to be available for selection against his former club.
Aston Villa will be without Amadou Onana for most, if not all, of the season. The midfielder tore his ACL at the World Cup. New signing Johan Manzambi is also out with a knee injury suffered at the World Cup. The exciting winger is expected back in the next few weeks. Brian Madjo, the teenager who impressed against PSG in the Super Cup, is out with a minor issue. Leon Bailey will miss out with a muscle problem. New signing Joao Gomes is serving the first of a three-match ban for violent conduct. New signing Nicolas Jackson was reportedly registered in time and will be available for selection.
Arsenal - Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Tzolis, Havertz
Aston Villa - Suzuki, Cash, Lindelof, Barkley, McGinn, Kamara, Buendia, Jackson, Pau, Maatsen, Hemmings
WHAT: Aston Villa vs. Arsenal, PL MD2
WHERE: Villa Park, Birmingham
WHEN: Monday, August 31st 12 pm PT | 3 pm ET | 8 pm BST
US TV: Broadcast on USA Network.
For all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not discuss or share links to illegal streams here.
The 2026/27 begins as the title holders host the newly promoted Sky Blues
The Gunners close in on much-needed cover.
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