This Saturday, Aston Villa will host Arsenal at Villa Park in a highly anticipated Premier League clash featuring two well-known managers, Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery.
A Quest for Revenge
Arsenal will be looking to exact revenge on Aston Villa after suffering two defeats to Emery’s side last season. Villa managed to edge Arsenal 1-0 at Villa Park before delivering a decisive blow at the Emirates with two late goals, crucial results that denied Arsenal their first Premier League title in 20 years, finishing just two points behind Man City.
Form and Fixtures
Arsenal began their 2024-25 campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Wolves, and the match against Villa represents a key early test in their pursuit of the title. Villa, meanwhile, started their season with a dramatic win over West Ham and are eager to build on their impressive form from last season as they aim for back-to-back top-four finishes.
Match Details
Date and Time: Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 5:30 PM BST
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Team News
For Villa, Jhon Duran may start on the bench despite his recent match-winning performance. Jacob Ramsey and Ian Maatsen will be hoping to secure starting spots after their appearances in the previous game. Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara remain long-term absentees, with Robin Olsen also a major doubt.
Arsenal are close to sealing Mikel Merino's signature, but a deal before the weekend would unlikely affect the starting lineup. Eddie Nketiah could be sidelined amid transfer interest, although Mikel Arteta said on Friday morning "I expect Eddie to train with us today and be ready for tomorrow. Whatever happens, will happen."
Arteta are expected to keep the same lineup as against Wolves, with potential returns for Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney, and Fabio Vieira possibly available if he recovers from a hip issue.
Arteta’s Approach
Arsenal boss Arteta has stressed the importance of trusting his players to perform at the highest level. “I always had a feeling and belief within our players that I have to trust. That is the only way to get the best out of your team and individuals,” Arteta said. “We know what we want and need to perform at the right level to achieve it.”
Emery’s Strategy
Unai Emery, in contrast, is likely to continue with his tactical approach that has proven successful against Arsenal. Known for his detailed game plans and ability to exploit opponents' weaknesses, Emery will aim to use his knowledge of Arsenal’s style to his advantage.
His emphasis on organised defence and quick counter-attacks has been a hallmark of his strategy, particularly effective in their previous encounters. Emery will be keen to maintain Villa’s strong start and secure another significant victory to bolster their top-four ambitions.
As Arteta and Emery face off once again, the encounter promises to be a thrilling battle with significant implications for both teams’ aspirations this season.
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