Arsenal make the journey to Aston Villa after beating Wolves 2-0 in their Premier League opener last weekend.
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka notched the goals for the Gunners to get the season up and running.
Villa also claimed victory in their first match of 2024-25, a late Jhon Duran strike sealing a deserved 2-1 win at West Ham.
This promises to be an enthralling encounter between two Champions League sides and it is one Arsenal cannot afford to lose if they are to compete with Manchester City for the title.
NetBet is here to preview the big match at Villa Park and provide some betting tips ahead of Saturday’s action. If you are interested in placing a Premier League acca this weekend, make sure you take advantage of our Acca Boost feature.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Saturday, August 24, 5.30pm
Villa Park, Birmingham, England
Live on Sky Sports
Aston Villa vs Arsenal Preview
Villa did the double over Arsenal in the Premier League last season, results which proved fatal to the Gunners’ title charge. As such, Mikel Arteta’s side will be out for revenge, although achieving that will not be easy against a team which seem to have their number.
Unai Emery’s clever tactics got the better of Arsenal when the two sides met at the Emirates towards the end of last term, despite the fact he had to contend with a number of key injuries.
Villa will look to tempt the Gunners out of their solid defensive shape and catch them out with lightning-fast counterattacks, a method which allows the likes of Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey to shine.
Summer signing Amadou Onana’s presence in midfield will also be a big factor and if he gets into his groove again, the visitors may struggle to build up a head of steam.
But Arsenal will know they have the quality to pick up three points here and Havertz could be the key to victory. The German struggled in a midfield role during the last meeting between these two sides but is now shining as the North London outfit’s No9.
Havertz’s size and intelligence will be vital in getting Arsenal up the Villa Park pitch and bringing Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice into the game in the final third.
From a defensive standpoint, this is a match in which the more solid Jurrien Timber may be preferred at left-back to Oleksandar Zinchenko, especially as the Dutchman can contribute significantly in the final third too.
And do not be surprised if Jorginho is preferred to Thomas Partey as the No6 to provide more control and discipline after the Ghanaian’s slightly erratic display in the win over Wolves.
With so many potential variables and battles to be fought, we have no doubt that this is going to be a cracker of a game!
Aston Villa vs Arsenal Odds
*Odds are subject to change
Despite being the home side and a formidable one at that, Villa are the significant underdogs here at 4.33. Favourites Arsenal are priced at 1.79.
Saka is the favourite to score first for the Gunners at 6.40, while Watkins is priced at 7.90 to bag the opening goal.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal Betting Tips
Kai Havertz to score anytime @ 2.91
As previously mentioned, Havertz’s performance could dictate the destination of the points. If he shines, Arsenal should go on to win – and we fancy him to get himself on the scoresheet at Villa Park. Havertz has scored five goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
Arsenal to win and under 2.5 goals in the match @ 4.50
Given Arsenal’s defensive strength on their travels, this might not be a high scoring affair. The two meetings last season yielded only three goals and if you are interested, the Gunners to win 1-0 is at 6.70.
Arsenal to win both halves @ 4.75
But there is also a chance that Arsenal score early on and then add a second late in the day when Villa push further forward in search of an equaliser. Either that or the Gunners dominate both halves, which seems a tad less likely.
Aston Villa Team News
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Watkins
Injuries: Kamara, Mings
Doubts: Olsen
Arsenal Team News
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Injuries: Tierney, Tomiyasu
Doubts: Vieira
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