Last updated: 31 October 2026
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Premier League · Opening weekend of the 2026-27 season
Aston Villa0–1
ArsenalMonday, 31 August 2026
Kicks off 20:00 UK time
Final score: Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal.
Match Timeline
29'
Christos Tzolis
46'
↑ Eberechi Eze ↓ Christos Tzolis
59'
Bukayo Saka ⚽
Assist: Riccardo Calafiori
↑ Alysson ↓ George Hemmings
71'
↑ Tammy Abraham ↓ Nicolas Jackson
71'
71'
↑ Mikel Merino ↓ Martin Ødegaard
71'
↑ Bruno Guimarães ↓ Myles Lewis-Skelly
↑ Alejandro Garnacho ↓ Ross Barkley
78'
↑ Aaron Wan-Bissaka ↓ Matty Cash
78'
79'
↑ Ezri Konsa ↓ Cristhian Mosquera
Alysson
80'
John McGinn
81'
85'
↑ Martín Zubimendi ↓ Declan Rice
Ian Maatsen
90'
Match Stats
39%
AVL
Possession
61%
ARS
7Shots7
0On target2
2Corners4
17Fouls6
339Passes530
273%Pass accuracy465%
Aston Villa · 4-2-3-1Starting XI4-2-3-1 · Arsenal
1
Suzuki
GK
2
Cash
DEF
3
Lindelöf
DEF
14
Torres
DEF
22
Maatsen
DEF
8
Kamara
MID
6
Barkley
MID
7
McGinn
MID
10
Buendía
MID
53
Hemmings
MID
11
Jackson
FWD
1
Raya
GK
4
White
DEF
3
Mosquera
DEF
6
Magalhães
DEF
33
Calafiori
DEF
41
Rice
MID
49
Lewis-Skelly
MID
7
Saka
MID
8
Ødegaard
MID
17
Tzolis
MID
29
Havertz
FWD
Aston Villa Subs
71'↑ Alyssonfor↓ Hemmings
71'↑ Abrahamfor↓ Jackson
78'↑ Garnachofor↓ Barkley
78'↑ Wan-Bissakafor↓ Cash
Unused
BizotMingsRuggeriBogardeLynch
Arsenal Subs
46'↑ Ezefor↓ Tzolis
71'↑ Merinofor↓ Ødegaard
71'↑ Guimarãesfor↓ Lewis-Skelly
79'↑ Konsafor↓ Mosquera
85'↑ Zubimendifor↓ Rice
Unused
ArrizabalagaHincapiéGyökeresMadueke
Player Ratings
Best Performer
Barkley
Aston Villa
7.3
Best Performer
Calafiori
Arsenal
7.9
Cash7
Jackson7
Lindelöf6.9
Kamara6.9
Wan-Bissaka6.9
Alysson6.7
Suzuki6.3
Torres6.3
Buendía6.3
Hemmings6.3
Abraham6.3
Garnacho6.3
McGinn6
Maatsen5.6
Saka7.9
Magalhães7.3
White7.2
Rice7.2
Lewis-Skelly7.2
Merino7.2
Raya6.9
Mosquera6.9
Ødegaard6.9
Konsa6.6
Zubimendi6.6
Eze6.3
Guimarães6.3
Tzolis6.2
Havertz6.2
Next Fixture
Aston Villa
HFulham
Sat 31 Oct
Arsenal
ALiverpool
Sun 1 Nov
Reverse Fixture
The return leg: Arsenal host Aston Villa
ArsenalvsAston Villa
View fixture →17 April 2027
Venue
Aston Villa home ground
Villa Park
Witton, Birmingham
42,785
capacity
Opened 1897
Villa Park has been Aston Villa's home since 1897 and is one of the most historic stadiums in English football, having hosted FA Cup semi-finals, England internationals, and European fixtures across more than a century of use. Situated in the Witton area of north Birmingham, the ground blends Victorian-era craftsmanship in the Trinity Road Stand with modern hospitality and media facilities. Its capacity of just under 43,000 makes it one of the largest club grounds in the Midlands.
About These Clubs
Season information and quick links for both sides