Thursday, 15 August 2013

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Saturday 17 August 2013.

3pm Arsenal v Aston Villa

Two teams who have been ever-present in the Barclays Premier League will begin the season against each other for the second time. Seven years ago, Gilberto Silva's late equaliser gave Arsenal a share of the points against Villa in their first top-flight match at the Emirates Stadium.

Aston Villa will take heart from impressive showings at Arsenal in recent years. They were close to taking a point last season before Santi Cazorla's 85th-minute winner, while they have won twice in their last five Barclays Premier League clashes in the capital against Arsene Wenger's side.

Arsenal signings: Yaya Sanogo (Auxerre).

Aston Villa signings: Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan), Jores Okore (FC Nordsjaelland), Leandro Bacuna (FC Groningen), Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg BK), Antonio Luna (Sevilla), Jed Steer (Norwich City).

Key stat: Only Chelsea (three) have won more away Premier League matches at the Emirates than Aston Villa (two).

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