The Premier League action continues on August 24, 2024, as Aston Villa hosts Arsenal in an exciting late kick-off.
This matchup features two of last season’s top four finishers, with Aston Villa making a notable leap into the Champions League places, while Arsenal narrowly missed out on the title, finishing just two points behind champions Manchester City.
With both teams coming off strong opening victories, this clash promises to be a thrilling encounter at Villa Park.
Match Preview
Aston Villa launched their campaign with a solid 2-1 victory over West Ham United, showcasing their resilience and tactical discipline.
Goals from Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran propelled them to victory, even as they faced 14 shots and controlled only 47% of possession.
Villa’s home form last season was impressive, with just three defeats in 19 league matches, resulting in 12 wins and four draws at Villa Park.
Only Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool collected more points at home, giving Unai Emery’s side confidence as they look to upset the Gunners.
Arsenal, meanwhile, began their season in strong fashion, claiming a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
With goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, the Gunners dominated the match, registering 53% possession and 18 shots while restricting Wolves to a mere three attempts on target.
Mikel Arteta’s team has been in excellent form, winning their last seven Premier League matches and remaining unbeaten in their previous nine away games.
With a record of only five losses in their last 39 league encounters, Arsenal will be eager to maintain their momentum at Villa Park.
Head to Head
Aston Villa had a successful campaign against Arsenal last season, managing to do the double over the Gunners.
They secured a 1-0 victory at Villa Park and followed it up with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.
However, historically, Arsenal has had the upper hand, winning four of their previous six league meetings and scoring a total of 10 goals in those victories.
This historical context adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming match, as both teams aim to assert their dominance.
Team News
Aston Villa will be without long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara, both sidelined due to knee injuries.
Unai Emery will need to adapt his strategy in light of these key injuries, but the squad remains robust after their opening win.
For Arsenal, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the clash due to injuries, while Fabio Vieira is considered a doubt.
Despite these absences, Arsenal’s squad depth and quality should allow them to field a competitive lineup as they seek revenge for last season’s defeats to Villa.
Prediction
Given the attacking capabilities of both teams and their recent performances, we predict that both teams will score at Villa Park.
However, Arsenal’s current form and depth could see them edge out a victory, potentially netting over 2.5 goals in the process.
- Score Prediction: Aston Villa 1-3 Arsenal
Betting Tips
Both Teams to Score – Yes: With both teams showcasing their attacking prowess, placing a bet on both teams finding the net is a sensible option.
Over 2.5 Goals: Given the potential for a high-scoring match, betting on over 2.5 goals would be a worthwhile consideration.
Arsenal to Win: Despite Villa’s strong home record, Arsenal’s recent form suggests they can secure a victory.
Bukayo Saka to Score Anytime: With Saka’s impressive form, betting on him to score during the match could yield positive returns.
