Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Aston Villa - Premier League

A huge early-season fixture beckons for Arsenal, who take on the only team who completed a league double over them last season in Aston Villa away from home.

Expect the Mikel Arteta vs Unai Emery debates to be raging ahead of kick-off with the Arsenal incumbent aiming to improve his not-so-pretty head-to-head record against his predecessor. Arteta has only beaten Emery once in his managerial career, although that win did arrive at Villa Park.

The Arsenal boss is without Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney for Saturday's game due to injury, but Fabio Vieira should return to the fold with the surely departing Eddie Nketiah unlikely to make the matchday squad.

While the Gunners were comfortable in a 2-0 win over Wolves last week, Arteta is expected to make changes to his starting XI on Saturday evening.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Aston Villa

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - It was business as usual for Raya last weekend as he notched his first clean sheet of the new season at the first attempt. The Spaniard could be busy on Saturday against Villa's proficient finishers up top.

Ben White (RB) - White rarely misses a beat down the right flank, and a change in dynamics down the left means the right-back could be more aggressive going forward compared to last week.

William Saliba (CB) - The Frenchman was far from his best against Wolves, especially in possession, but Saliba often saves his best work for the big away games.

Gabriel (CB) - Gabriel did not enjoy his night at Villa Park last season, and the Brazilian will be put to the test by an imposing frontline this weekend. I'm sure big Gab will meet fire with fire on Saturday.

Jurrien Timber (LB) - No Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mikel. Please. I would like the security provided by Timber in one-on-ones against the wily Leon Bailey.

Midfielders

Declan Rice (CM) - A midfield switch-up means Thomas Partey comes out in favour of Declan Rice in a deeper role. With Mikel Merino's arrival imminent, the signs point towards Rice's future at Arsenal being in a #6 position.

Martin Odegaard (CM) - We should see plenty of the skipper operating from a deeper position in the build-up phase. These were once occasions Odegaard often failed to stand up in, and while he did produce some fine performances against the very best last season, it'd be great to see his output improve also.

Kai Havertz (CM) - The Havertz midfield ploy worked in the opening 45 minutes against Villa at the Emirates in April. Arsenal just couldn't find the finishing touch. I think Arteta will task the German with making his surging runs through the left half-space while working pretty much in tandem with the starting striker.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - Saka will never shy away from the big outing. After starting his season with a bang, Saka will fancy the match-up against Lucas Digne on Saturday.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - Jesus does deserve a chance after an impressive pre-season, and I don't think Arteta will be hesitant to use the Brazilian on Saturday despite Havertz's proficiency as a striker. The pair worked well together towards the end of 2023.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - Surely this is a game for Martinelli given the space Villa will surrender in behind? This is a huge game for the Brazilian, who needs a statement performance for his confidence and to settle him into 2024/25.

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