Game Week 2 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Villa

Villa vs Arsenal preview: champions visit Villa Park as Emery’s new signings face Saka’s Gunners in a Monday night test.

Aston Villa must start better when they face Arsenal than they did last weekend at Brighton. Will Villa come good in this fixture? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Villa Park

8:00pm

Arsenal must beat Aston Villa to stay in touch with the likes of Manchester City, Hull City, and Chelsea, who have all won their respective two games.

The weekend came with some surprises. Liverpool failed to win again, and Brighton got a taste of their own medicine, losing by three goals at Stamford Bridge as early as the first half hour. This discussion focuses on the match at Villa Park between the league champions and the Europa League winners.

The Gunners decisively defeated Coventry City last weekend. The 3-0 success got the champions started the right way; now they must build on that at a difficult ground. If you must win the league, you must beat the best.

It didn't quite go as planned for Unai Emery and Aston Villa at Brighton last weekend. The 4-0 embarrassment led Villa into the market, where they got Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG. It's left to be seen if the duo will start on Monday night.

The last time Arsenal visited Villa Park, it was the home side who laughed last. Emiliano Buendia bundled the ball home at the death as Villa ran out 2-1 winners. It was a win that planted Villa in the title race back then. Can they deliver such a performance again?

Arsenal fans woke up to the shocking news of Gabriel Jesus heading to Barcelona. The Brazilian will join the Catalan giants imminently, alongside Fabio Vieira, who is off to Hamburg, and Gabriel Martinelli, who is expected to complete a move to Al Hilal on Monday.

Aston Villa could start Zion Suzuki in goal following Emiliano Martinez's transfer to Chelsea. We will see some new faces for the home side. Emery knows how to prepare for Arsenal; will he have another great night at Villa Park?

How will Arsenal line up? Will Ezri Konsa start for Arsenal? The former Villa defender is in line for his first involvement as an Arsenal player following his move last weekend. Chritos Tzolis is one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League today. Will he have a say in this fixture?

Bukayo Saka got on the score sheet against Coventry; that's not a real test if we're keeping it a buck. Arsenal will face a sterner test in Villa, considering how the latter was decimated by Brighton last weekend. This should be fun to watch.

Verdict: Arsenal to win.