A compelling encounter awaits at Villa Park on Saturday as Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, face off against Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, in the second round of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Both clubs enter this thrilling clash with three points on the board from their opening games. Aston Villa edged West Ham United 2-1 in East London, while Arsenal secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates.
The narrative adds an intriguing layer as Unai Emery, a former Arsenal manager, looks to outwit his successor, Mikel Arteta, once again.
Emery's men claimed a league double over the Gunners last season. Now, Aston Villa will aim to achieve a rare feat this weekend by securing a third consecutive league victory over Arsenal, which they've only managed twice - in November 1993 and February 2021.
Villa's performance against West Ham was dominant, with numerous chances created. Duran's late winner ended their four-match winless streak in the Premier League and positioned them to start the season with back-to-back wins, a feat they've only achieved four times in Premier League history.
Among Aston Villa's key performers, Jhon Duran stood out last weekend. After hinting at a potential move to West Ham earlier in the transfer window, the Colombian striker ultimately stayed with the Birmingham outfit and made his mark by netting the match-winner against the Hammers. His celebration, pointing to the London Stadium turf, was perhaps a signal of his commitment to the Villans.
Despite a stellar 2023 at home, where they won 15 consecutive Premier League matches, Unai Emery's side has recently struggled to maintain consistent results at Villa Park. However, they have remained prolific, scoring at least twice in their last eight home games.
Villa may have injury concerns heading into the match, with right-back Matty Cash picking up a knock against West Ham, though Emery did not indicate any lasting issue. If Cash is unavailable, Kosta Nedeljkovic could step in, or Emery might opt for experience by moving Ezri Konsa to right-back, allowing Diego Carlos to return to central defense.
Meanwhile, experienced defender Tyrone Mings and midfielder Boubacar Kamara both remain sidelined with long-term knee injuries, and Emery might consider starting Duran, who boasts an impressive strike rate in the Premier League, second only to Erling Haaland among current players.
Arsenal kicked off their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolves, a team they have now scored against in 34 consecutive matches. Kai Havertz played a pivotal role, heading in a Bukayo Saka cross before the duo combined again for Arsenal's second goal. However, Arteta's men were far from their best, and the match could have been closer had Wolves capitalized on Arsenal's momentary lapses. Nonetheless, the Gunners extended their Premier League winning streak to seven games.
The Gunners' away form has been particularly strong, with the Gunners having collected 25 points from a possible 27 in their previous nine Premier League away games last term, with seven clean sheets and just three goals conceded.
Yet, Aston Villa - their current opponents - were Arsenal's kryptonite last campaign, completing an impressive double over the North London side with a 1-0 home victory and a sensational 2-0 win at the Emirates, giving Unai Emery a psychological edge over his ex-club.
Declan Rice's late exit due to cramp against Wolves is not expected to keep him out of action. Fabio Vieira might also be fit for selection, though Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are still several weeks away from returning.
Up front, Kai Havertz, fresh off his goal and assist, will be looking to improve his record against Aston Villa, a team against whom he has never scored or assisted in seven previous Premier League appearances.
Arsenal's record at Villa Park is formidable, with 14 wins, but they will need to tighten up after some uncharacteristically sloppy play against Wolves. A closely fought contest is expected with Aston Villa's potent attacking duo of Ollie Watkins and Duran, and a draw could be on the cards.
With an impressive home record, having lost just three of their last 26 Premier League games at Villa Park (winning 19), Aston Villa will be confident of their chances. This confidence is bolstered by their recent scoring form, with two or more goals scored in each of their last five home games. However, their defense has shown vulnerability, conceding nine goals in their last four outings at Villa Park, which could be an area of concern against their current opponents.
Mikel Arteta's side will be keen to capitalize on Villa's defensive vulnerability as the Gunners embark on their quest to claim their first Premier League title since the legendary Invincibles season in 2003/04.
Last but not least, Douglas Luiz's departure could be a huge blow for Aston Villa in such games. The transfer of Amadou Onana looks promising, but Luiz was the cog in Unai Emery's midfield setup, even though the Brazilian midfielder missed Villa's 2-0 victory at the Emirates in April due to suspension.
