Arsenal – A. Villa 17.08.2013

Arsenal will be looking to kick off their Premier League campaign with a victory over last season strugglers Aston Villa at their Emirates stadium.

When this two teams take on each other goals galore is always guaranteed.

Last season Arsenal failed to clinch the Premier League title, but the team managed to secure their place in the Champions League qualifiers for yet another term. Maybe the most important thing for the Gunners is that they once more finished the season above bitter local rivals Tottenham. Seeing that the club chiefs are yet to sign a big name in the transfer window, Arsen Wengerˈs men are unlikely to fight for the Premier League title this season. The team have been linked with the likes of Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney over the summer, but nothing has been signed yet. With Jack Wilshere having finally recovered from his injury and Theo Walcott staying in the club Arsenal look much sharper in the new season. Arsenal take on Aston Villa in their opener and everything but a home victory would be a major surprise. The hosts will be certainly very motivated to start their Premier League campaign with a victory and I believe that Santi Cazorla and friends will score a couple of goals on Saturday.

Bookmaker: Bet365  –> Get Your free bet here!

With a number of youngsters in the squad Aston Villa were on the verge of the relegation last season, but the team, which is one of the seven teams that have been constant Premiership members since itˈs foundation in 1992, somehow manage to survive in the top flight. During the summer transfer window the club chiefs have reinforced the squad with the likes of striker Nicklas Helenius, defender Antonio Luna from Sevilla, Bulgarian midfielder Aleksandar Tonev, defender Jores Okore, Dutch midfielder Leandro Bacuna and goalkeeper Jed Steer. Nonethless, it remains to be seen if boss Paul Lambertˈs men will return to the mid part of the standings, were they surely belong. Aston Villa have done remarkably well in pre-season preparation, with the team defeating the likes of Walsall 5:0, Crewe 5:1, Shamrock 2:0, Malaga 3:2, while losing to Luton 2:0. With top goal scorer Christian Benteke being in a promising form of late, the Villans are likely to net at least one goal at the Emirates Stadium.