AdminAston Villa have undergone a remarkable rebuild since their victory over Arsenal at the end of 2025, with Nicolas Jackson now set to make his first appearance at Villa Park against the Gunners.
Arsenal travel to Villa Park on Monday for a fixture that could provide plenty of intrigue, particularly given Unai Emery’s record against his former club.
However, the Villa side Arsenal will face is almost unrecognisable from the team that secured a 2-1 victory last year.
Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins all started that game, but every one of them has since departed.
Martinez joined Chelsea for £7.5 million, while Rogers completed a £117 million move. Konsa moved to Arsenal for £55 million, Tielemans joined Manchester United for £35 million and Watkins moved to Saudi Arabia for £50 million.
Villa have spent heavily replacing them, signing Johan Manzambi for £50.97 million, Joao Gomes for £38 million, Zion Suzuki for £25.6 million, Matteo Ruggeri for £17 million and Modou Keba Cisse for £4.75 million.
Leon Goretzka arrived on a free transfer, while Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka joined on loan.
Villa are also pursuing Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain.
Jackson’s £65 million arrival has added further excitement. The striker previously worked with Emery at Villarreal and impressed during spells at Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
He is now expected to make his Villa debut against Arsenal, hoping to finally register his first goal contribution against the Gunners.
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