Aston Villa v Arsenal: Full lineups confirmed as Bukayo Saka starts at Villa Park

Arsenal are due to travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa in a Matchday 2 Premier League fixture on Monday, August 31, 2026, and Bukayo Saka has been named in Arsenal's starting XI. Full lineups for both sides were confirmed ahead of the match.

Arsenal began their title defence with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City on August 21, with goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, and had also won the FA Community Shield before the league started. Mikel Arteta’s side hold a 100% record in the league so far. Aston Villa lost 4-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion in their opening game, conceding four times in the first half and not allowing further goals in the second; the club has also lost several key players over the summer, the report said.

Aston Villa starting XI: Zion Suzuki; Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Ross Barkley, Boubacar Kamara; John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia, George Hemmings; Nicolas Jackson. Bench: Marco Bizot (gk), Tyrone Mings, Alejandro Garnacho, Tammy Abraham, Lamare Bogarde, Aaron Wann-Bissaka, Alysson, Luka Lynch.

Arsenal starting XI: David Raya; Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori; Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Christos Tzolis; Kai Havertz. Bench: Kepa Arizzabalaga (gk), Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Ezri Konsa, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Bruno Guimaraes.

Arteta will hope that his new signings, including Christos Tzolis, enjoy playing against an out-of-form opponent tonight. The hosts were described as facing an even tougher test against the defending champions, with the Gunners once again the favourites to lift the Premier League trophy.

Double debuts 🤩Your Villa XI to face Arsenal this evening 👋 pic.twitter.com/Zue0ZTSJt9

🟡 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵Unchanged for Monday night football 🔐🤝 Presented by @deel pic.twitter.com/ptvpKHDahn

The fixture will be played on Monday, August 31, 2026, with kick‑off at 12:30 AM IST on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, for viewers in India. The match takes place at Villa Park in Birmingham, England.