Aston Villa were Europa League winners and a top-four Premier League side only a few months ago, but Arsenal could hardly have picked a better time for their first away game as defending champions.

Villa opened the season with a 4-0 defeat at Brighton, conceding all four goals inside the opening 31 minutes before Joao Gomes compounded a miserable afternoon by being sent off.

It was not simply a case of four chances finding the net. Brighton created 21 attempts and almost four expected goals, while Villa managed only six shots and offered very little attacking threat.

Unai Emery is also attempting to rebuild a side that has lost several of last season’s most important players. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins have all moved on, with Watkins completing a £51m switch to Al-Hilal after becoming Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer.

Aston Villa have responded by bringing in Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea and Leon Goretzka, and Jackson is available to make his debut after being registered in time for Monday night’s game.

Arsenal arrive in considerably better shape. Mikel Arteta’s side beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield before beginning their Premier League title defence with another 3-0 victory over Coventry.

Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were all on target against the newly promoted side, while Arsenal restricted Coventry to four attempts and have still not conceded in competitive action this season.

Villa Park does provide one significant warning against assuming another comfortable Arsenal victory. Villa won this fixture 2-1 last season and have beaten Arsenal in four of their seven Premier League meetings in Birmingham since returning to the top flight.

They have also won their last three home league games against the reigning champions, but this Villa side looks significantly less settled than the one that caused Arsenal problems last December.

What are the best picks for Aston Villa vs Arsenal?

Arsenal to win to nil

Backing Arsenal at a short price offers little appeal on its own, but adding a clean sheet gives us a more interesting way into Monday night’s game.

Arteta’s side have started the season with consecutive 3-0 victories and have given Manchester City and Coventry very little encouragement in front of goal.

Villa’s attacking performance at Brighton was particularly concerning. They created only 0.29 expected goals and managed five touches inside the Brighton penalty area, numbers that suggest the 4-0 defeat was about far more than poor finishing or bad luck.

Jackson should immediately give Emery a recognised centre-forward after Watkins’ departure, but asking a newly assembled attack to click against one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive sides is a difficult task.

Arsenal will be without William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, which prevents this from being a completely straightforward selection, but the balance of the early evidence still favours another controlled performance from the champions.

Kai Havertz to score anytime

Havertz has started the season as Arsenal’s central striker and already has goals against both Manchester City and Coventry.

His finish against Coventry continued the excellent scoring form he showed during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign, while the amount of space Brighton found inside the Villa penalty area should encourage Arsenal’s attacking players.

Villa allowed 38 opposition touches in their own box at the Amex Stadium, and Havertz’s movement between the centre-backs and into scoring positions should give him opportunities if Arsenal establish the territorial control they enjoyed on the opening weekend.

Saka will understandably attract support in the goalscorer markets, but Havertz playing through the middle makes him the more obvious selection if the price remains attractive.

Where can I watch Aston Villa vs Arsenal?

Aston Villa vs Arsenal kicks off at 8:00 PM BST on Monday, August 31 at Villa Park.

The game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming also available through NOW.

What have the managers said?

Unai Emery:

“In football, if you are expecting a transition, then maybe you are not in the right way. We must compete and win.”

Mikel Arteta:

“He’s one of the most experienced managers in the league, and one of the most successful without a shadow of a doubt.”

What is Aston Villa’s predicted team?

(4-2-3-1) Suzuki – Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Ruggeri – Bogarde, Kamara – Buendia, Barkley, McGinn – Jackson.

Injured: Amadou Onana.

Suspended: Joao Gomes.

Doubts: Johan Manzambi, Brian Madjo.

Jackson has been registered in time to make his Villa debut and looks likely to replace Watkins immediately, while Goretzka is also available following his summer arrival.

What is Arsenal’s predicted team?

(4-2-3-1) Raya – White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori – Rice, Lewis-Skelly – Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis – Havertz.

Injured: William Saliba, Jurrien Timber.

Doubt: Bruno Guimaraes.

Former Villa defender Ezri Konsa is available to make his Arsenal debut after completing his £55m move, although Arteta could stick with the defence that kept a clean sheet against Coventry.

Keep up with our latest Arsenal betting tips, predictions and match previews and Aston Villa betting tips throughout the Premier League season.

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