Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVEPAMikel Arteta’s Arsenal continue their Premier League title defence in Birmingham this evening, facing Aston Villa in their second match of the campaign. The Gunners got their season off to a fine start last time out as they breezed past newly promoted Coventry, but they should face somewhat stiffer opposition tonight. It has been a fairly challenging summer for the Villans, who no longer employ several of the players who were so key to their Europa League triumph last season.Among those departing are the Chelsea-bound pair Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Martinez, while Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins have also plumped for greener pastures. Ezri Konsa, now of Arsenal, completes the exodus, and he will hope to debut for his new club this evening. Villa should have debuts of their own, though, with Nicolas Jackson looking to play his first minutes in claret.After suffering a humbling 4-0 defeat last time out, Emery and his men have a point to prove against the champions. Follow the action from Villa Park LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri.Aston Villa vs Arsenal latest newsArsenal vs Aston Villa head to headAston Villa got the better of Arsenal here last season thanks to an injury-time winner from Emi Buendia.The Gunners hold the edge in the head-to-head, though...GettyTransfer latest: Arsenal eye FofanaArsenal have been linked with Lyon forward Malick Fofana.Per BBC Sport, the player was offered to the Gunners by intermediaries today, but the club’s executives are divided over whether to bid.The saga will be one to watch on Deadline Day...Standard Sport predictionUnai Emery will surely give his side a hearty pre-match speech tonight, and Villa have a lot to prove after rolling over at Brighton.They have their work cut out for them, though. Much to the chagrin of the rest of the league, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal only seems to have improved in the months since winning the title.They picked Coventry apart on day one and we expect them to secure three more points here.ICYMI: Arteta issues warning over player sales before deadlineMikel Arteta has warned Arsenal must be "very careful" over who they sell in the final days of the transfer window.The Gunners have invested significantly over the past 12 months, spending more than £250million last summer and bringing in barely £10m in sales.There has been a greater focus on finding the right balance during this window, though outgoings have proved difficult.Arteta confirmed that Arsenal are still pursuing a self-sustaining model, but emphasised that did not mean making sales that were not in the club's best interest."That's what we are trying to get as a club but the balance has to be right," Arteta said.Emery speaks outIt has been a chastening summer for Unai Emery and Aston Villa, with a number of key players departing.He is adamant, though, that Villa will keep their heads up and carry on in kind.The Basque wrote in tonight’s matchday programme: “Generations of players come and go, but the badge remains. Aston Villa remains. Villa Park remains. And, above everything else, what remains is the feeling and passion of you, the supporters.”Aston Villa early team news: Jackson to debutNicolas Jackson is expected to play his first minutes for Villa tonight after sealing a transfer from Chelsea last week. It remains to be seen if he will start, though.Amadou Onana and Johan Manzambi are both injured, as is Leon Bailey.Summer signing Joao Gomez is suspended after being sent off last week.Arsenal early team news: Can Guimaraes feature?Arsenal are expected to make a late call as to whether Bruno Guimaraes is able to feature tonight. He impressed in the Community Shield but has not featured for his new club since, and Arteta says the club is managing his load.He joins William Saliba and Jurrien Timber on the treatment table.Elsewhere, it remains to be seen whether Ezri Konsa will get into the side for his debut tonight.How to watch Aston Villa vs ArsenalTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Coverage will start at 6.30pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off at Villa Park.Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog - that’s this one, you’re already here!Good eveningHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Aston Villa vs Arsenal in the Premier League!These two sides both won titles last season, but have had hugely contrasting starts to the new season. Will Villa get their first points on the board here, or will it be the Gunners continuing their perfect start?We shall see! Stick with us right here for all the latest from Villa Park, where proceedings will get underway at 8pm BST.ES Composite