Aston Villa vs Arsenal Prediction & Betting Tips (24 August)

In a Premier League where the Big Four crushed the competition in the 2010s Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, and now gives way to the Big Six Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Man City and Tottenham, Aston Villa managed to obtain a ticket for the Champions League via 4th place in the championship 68 points and helped by the setbacks of Tottenham Spurs at the end of the day. The Villains' preparation started well with successes against Walsall 0-3 and Trnava 0-3 but it went wrong against Columbus Crew 4-1. The Birmingham players subsequently suffered three defeats against RB Leipzig 2-0, Club America 1-0 and Dortmund 2-0, and a success against Athletic Bilbao in the meantime 3-2. Traveling to West Ham for the first of the season, ex-LOSC Onana shook the opposing net in the 3' minute of play with a well-placed header. West Ham's response came shortly after the half-hour mark with a penalty from Paqueta 1-1, 36'. In a slightly less rhythmic 2nd half, Jhon Duran found the fault following a great collective movement from his teammates 2-1, 79'. 2nd in 2023, 2nd in 2024, the scenarios follow one another and are similar for Arsenal Gunners supporters. Indeed, they lacked edge at the worst times in a season, Man City for their part was quick to deny them priority on two occasions. Ahead of its first official match, Arsenal started its preparation with a draw against Bournemouth 1-1 before winning against Manchester United 2-1 and losing against Liverpool 2-1.

To round off their preparation, they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 before logically winning the Emirates Cup against Lyon 2-0. Still among the favorites for the title, Arsenal hosted Wolverhampton Wolves on the first day at the Emirates. Dominant in the 1st half, K.Havertz 24', 1-0 will open the scoring with a precise cross to the penalty point signed B. Saka. In the 2nd half the English international doubled the lead in the 72', 2-0 with a delicious individual action. Without forcing, Arsenal pocketed the 3 points 2-0.

Generally speaking, an English club does not lose its best players, and even less a top 4 team last year. Yet Aston Villa have lost many important elements with which the club succeeded in this incredible 2023-24 season. Firstly, Moussa Diaby (8 goals, 6 assists last year) whose offer of 60 million euros must have seduced the English leaders. But this is nothing compared to the departure of Douglas Luiz for Juventus, a transfer which should hurt but which replenishes the coffers with more than 50 million. To a lesser extent, Zaniolo and Lenglet completed their loan spells, and replacement Iroegbunam was sold to Everton. Obviously, there are numerous reinforcements to play in the Champions League and make Douglas Luiz forget. Position for position, it is A.

Onana who replaces him, bought for 60 million euros from Everton this summer. Also, Ross Barkley from Luton, the two youngsters from Juventus, Barrenechea and Iling Junior, the dangerous wingers Dobbin and Philogene, but above all the return of Archer and the purchase of Maatsen for practically 45 million are appreciable reinforcements for the Spanish coach U.Emery. Always present in the starting 11, Emiliano Martinez keeps the cages, Torres, Konsa, Digne and Cash behind are always present, McGinn, Tielemans and Ramsey in the middle, and the key player Ollie Watkins in front, author of 19 goals and 13 assists in PL last year. Deprived of Euro due to a long injury, French midfielder Boubacar Karama remains out, like replacements Mings (defender) and Olsen (goalkeeper).