PREVIEW | Aston Villa vs Arsenal: team news, lineups, predictions (Premier League 31/08)

Aston Villa and Arsenal are set to clash at Villa Park on Monday night for the first match of the Premier League season. The game starts at 20:00 on Sky Sports Main Event. Aston Villa currently sit at the bottom of the table with zero points, while Arsenal are in second place with three points. Unai Emery's Aston Villa suffered a 4-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion in their previous match, while Mikel Arteta's Arsenal won 3-0 against Coventry City. Their last meeting ended with Arsenal emerging victorious in a 4-1 scoreline.

For Aston Villa, key players like Tammy Abraham, Leon Bailey, Amadou Onana, Johan Manzambi, and Brian Madjo will be in doubt due to various injuries and illnesses. On the other hand, Arsenal will be without William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, and Bruno Guimarães due to back, groin, and hamstring injuries respectively.

Looking at the managerial clash, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta have faced each other nine times, with Emery winning four matches, Arteta two, and the rest ending in draws. Arteta has had the upper hand in their head-to-head meetings, winning 89 out of the 207 games between the two teams. At Villa Park specifically, Aston Villa have the edge with 44 wins to Arsenal's 31. In the league, Aston Villa have won 67 of the 188 matches between them, Arsenal 40, and 40 have concluded in draws.