Who: Aston Villa vs Arsenal What: English Premier League Where: Villa Park, Birmingham, United Kingdom When: Monday, August 30, at 8pm ( ) How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up from . An early-season highlight in the English Premier League pits the dark horse for the title in recent years, Aston Villa, against the side that last season finally ended a 22-year wait to lift the top-flight trophy. Villa had been making the early running in recent seasons and pushing the contenders most of the way, but it finished fourth last season – with only a late-season scramble securing their Champions League qualification as a result.
They did, however, secure the UEFA Europa League in their last campaign. The Gunners, meanwhile, fired their way to the title to end Manchester City’s recent grip on the Premier League, having won the previous four titles, and show little sign of loosening their own hold this season. This is a match that has produced some tasty encounters in recent years with revered Spanish coaches in either dugout.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at Monday’s match. Arsenal are a side brimming with the confidence of champions. Mikel Arteta’s men have swatted aside Manchester City and Coventry City 3-0 to pick up the Community Shield and make a perfect start to their title defence respectively.
Aston Villa were thrashed 4-0 by Brighton in their opening match of the new Premier League season last week. A depleted Villa conceded four goals inside the opening 31 minutes at Brighton, and also had Joao Gomes sent off in the first half in a miserable start to the season. They were also defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup to kick off the return of European top flight football.
Ezri Konsa could make his Arsenal debut to a frosty reception on his return to Villa Park, following his recent switch. The England international is just one of a series of departures from Villa in recent months, which has torn apart a much-respected side. The depth of options available to the Gunners means Konsa may even have to wait for his chance to shine despite the absence of William Saliba due to a long-term back injury.
Arteta has revealed that he has had difficult conversations with forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus as both Brazilian internationals appear set to depart Arsenal. At some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough,” said Arteta. Martinelli left training early on Thursday amid speculation that he is set for a move to Saudi side Al Hilal for a fee that could reportedly rise to 50 million pounds ($68m).
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