Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League latest score, match stream, goal updates and fan reaction
Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continue their Premier League title defence in Birmingham this evening, facing Aston Villa in their second match of the campaign. The Gunners got their season off to a fine start last time out as they breezed past newly promoted Coventry, but they should face somewhat stiffer opposition tonight. It has been a fairly challenging summer for the Villans, who no longer employ several of the players who were so key to their Europa League triumph last season.
Among those departing are the Chelsea-bound pair Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Martinez, while Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins have also plumped for greener pastures. Ezri Konsa, now of Arsenal, completes the exodus, and he will hope to debut for his new club this evening. Villa should have debuts of their own, though, with Nicolas Jackson looking to play his first minutes in claret.
After suffering a humbling 4-0 defeat last time out, Emery and his men have a point to prove against the champions. Follow the action from Villa Park LIVE below with dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal latest news
Live updates
Here we go...
The players are taking to the pitch at Villa Park. Kick-off up next!
Team news reminder
With ten minutes to kick-off, a reminder of tonight’s starting XIs.
Suzuki, Cash, Pau, Maatsen, Hemmings, Lindelof, Barkley, McGinn, Kamara, Buendia, Jackson
Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis
Villa Park will look a little different tonight as its North Stand is out of action.
It is presently being redeveloped with an eye to taking the stadium’s capacity over 50,000.
"We will have time to make changes throughout the game. We have players that have the right qualities and that's how we start."
A record for Arteta
Tonight, Mikel Arteta will become just the second person to both play and manage 250 Premier League matches.
Mark Hughes came first.
What kit will Arsenal wear tonight?
Arsenal’s new yellow third kit will make its competitive debut tonight!
David Raya will be pretty in purple.
An intriguing side from Unai Emery.
Nicolas Jackson and Zion Suzuki are both straight into the side for their full debuts with the club.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is named to the bench, where Tammy Abraham has been deemed fit enough to travel with the squad.
Arsenal team news
The Gunners’ XI is unchanged from that which picked Coventry apart last time out, but there is good news on the bench as Bruno Guimaraes returns to the side.
Ezri Konsa also features on the bench as he awaits his debut.
ASTON VILLA CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
Suzuki, Cash, Pau, Maatsen, Hemmings, Lindelof, Barkley, McGinn, Kamara, Buendia, Jackson
Bizot, Mings, Ruggeri, Garnacho, Abraham, Bogarde, Wan-Bissaka, Alysson, Lynch
Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis
Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Konsa, Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Merino, Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres