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Villa v Arsenal team news: Jackson debut, Konsa a sub

31 August 2026 1001 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) concludes with Aston Villa v Arsenal.

Kick-off at Villa Park is at 20:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Mikel Arteta sticks with the same team that defeated Coventry City on the opening day .

That means that Ezri Konsa is only on the Gunners’ bench as he makes a matchday squad for the first time since his transfer from tonight’s hosts.

Also among the Arsenal substitutes is the fit-again Bruno Guimaraes.

As for the Villans, there are two changes from their 4-0 pasting by Brighton and Hove Albion.

They hand full debuts to two of their summer captures, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and striker Nicolas Jackson.

Joao Gomes is suspended, while Marco Bizot drops to the bench.

LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Suzuki, Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen, McGinn, Kamara, Buendia, Hemmings, Barkley, Jackson.

Subs: Bizot, Mings, Ruggeri, Garnacho, Abraham, Bogarde, Wan-Bissaka, Alysson, Lynch.

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Tzolis, Odegaard, Havertz.

Subs: Kepa, Hincapie, Eze, Gyokeres, Konsa, Madueke, Merino, Zubimendi, Guimaraes.

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE + MATCH CENTRE

Savio

You can follow all the day’s action via the Live Gameweek page, which you can find in the all-new FPL Toolkit section.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out.

And there’s also the all-new Match Centre to explore.

A snapshot of this page is below; it’s basically a condensed version of the one in the Members Area.

FPL notes: Cherki Savio
1,001 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Esraj
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Jackson if back!

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    1. Esraj
      1 month, 20 days ago

      *is

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    2. Yank Revolution
      1 month, 20 days ago

      The King of Pop?

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    3. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Arsenal clean sheet locked in

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  2. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Any opinions on this possible GW4 WC and GW5 BB - would be 11 changes from the current 15
    Only possible planned move in GW5 with 3FT would be Rogers to MGW I have .7 ITB at the moment to allow for this and price changes. A lot hangs on Kona’s looking like a starter.

    Leno Kinsky

    Calafiori Konsa Hall N.Williams Mykolenko

    Palmer Roger’s Cherki KDH Sangare

    Haaland Pedro Wissa

    Current team for reference which looks ok for GW3 is

    Kinsky Dub

    Calafiori White O’Reilly Ajer Rodon

    Semenyo Wirtz Szob Mbeumo Tzolis

    Haaland Pedro Walle

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  3. DeSelby
    1 month, 20 days ago

    I benched Tzolis (instead of Wirtz or DCL). I'll be watching from under my sofa. Laterz.

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  4. Brosstan
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Arsenal's bench would demolish this Villa first team. Cricket score incoming

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    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Better have white or Tzolis involved. Calafiori not going to help my 5.5mil GW rank much

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  5. JBG
    1 month, 20 days ago

    "Maresca roulette" got worse it seems..

    "Manchester City have reached an agreement with Everton to sign Iliman Ndiaye!

    They will pay the Toffees £60M + £5M in add-ons"

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    1. Utopsis
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Got 3 City for Coventry after all

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      1. JBG
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Doubt it will matter for GW3, probably same team as GW2. But Ndiaye will probably get minutes of the bench from Cherki/Foden/Semenyo next match. Most likely Cherki, if I had to guess.

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        1. Utopsis
          1 month, 20 days ago

          Yeah I think you're right

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  6. terranullius
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Currently on 2 FTs but I don't really want to do anything. Anyone else in the same boat? No Haaland btw.

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    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      With only one each from Pool and City (not Haaland) in my current squad, I've gone FH to make sure I can get him. It was that or roll transfers and cross my fingers. The second option may prove to be the better one, but I would not be enjoying next week otherwise so I pulled the trigger

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      1. terranullius
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Yeah, FH makes sense this week. Cheers mate

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    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Don’t go without Haaland for 3 I think. I was only Haaland and no Bruno and I dropped from 0.5 mil OR to 4.5 mil OR this week

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      1. terranullius
        1 month, 20 days ago

        FH loading... cheers.

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  7. pundit of punts
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Konsa not starting is such a bummer for my WC team

    Had an absolute beast of a team ready but without Konsa it just doesn’t work as it won’t have Arsenal defense then

    Back to the drawing board…

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    1. JBG
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Not sure why people thought he would start any of GW1 or 2... not sure if he will come in GW3 either.

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    2. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Same

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    3. Yank Revolution
      1 month, 20 days ago

      I think he will play, just not yet...if you can be patient, it should pay off w Konsa.

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    4. Brosstan
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Cant believe people though some guy would walk into the team and just instantly replace a CB who has has consecutive clean sheets..

      Hes not even bought as first choice - thats Saliba. He will be a rotation player and backup player 100% certainly.

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      1. x.jim.x
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Eze was £60m, he won’t be on the bench
        Madueke was £50m, he won’t be on the bench
        Konsa was £60m…

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    5. Ignasi M
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Tough one - if Arsenal keep a clean sheet tonight, I doubt Konsa will start versus Chelsea. Mosquera and white under pressure

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  8. Pep Roulette
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Score prediction?

    AVL 1-4 ARS

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    1. JBG
      1 month, 20 days ago

      0-3

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    2. Ignasi M
      1 month, 20 days ago

      No way - Monday night at Villa park, who need to make up for the Brighton drubbing. Villa 1-2 Arsenal, or Villa 1-1 Arsenal.

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  9. brianutd-why always we? 20
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Probably have to sell Ndjai now he’s off to MCI

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    1. Pep Roulette
      1 month, 20 days ago

      100% sell. Backup option at City.

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  10. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Wan-Bissaka, Jackson and Garnacho. Is the Villa scouting department for real?

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    1. x.jim.x
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Wan-Bissaka and Jackson are good options. Emery will think he he can sort Garnacho’s attitude, which is his biggest issue tbh

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  11. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Love seeing Arsenal in a yellow away kit, reminds me of the 1989 Anfield league-winner and the 2003/04 "Invincibles" campaign

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  12. g40steve
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Hemmings skins White

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    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Good for Konsa.

      He only needs one of Mosquera or White to have a bad game...

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      1. Ignasi M
        1 month, 20 days ago

        White will get injured soon

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  13. g40steve
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Suzuki lol

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  14. Amartey Partey
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Gabriel on 3 defcons already

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  15. Brosstan
    1 month, 20 days ago

    MLS wastes Tzolis A

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  16. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Is that a crowd safety plan at Villa Park no fans behind Raya
    Due to the signing of Jackson & potential crowd injury

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    1. Bigbars
      1 month, 20 days ago

      That is quite funny. they are wearing hard hats too, like they know they will be in for some action.

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      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 20 days ago

        I think he's been coached to aim for the stand
        So that when he misses he might actually score .

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        1. Bigbars
          1 month, 20 days ago

          The whac a mole tactic.. may actually work, law of averages means one of them must hit

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  17. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Gabriel Gaul would be beautiful

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      *haul

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    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Champion of Capua

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    3. Ignasi M
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Gabriel almost scored from the corner.

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    4. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Obelix assist

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  18. Ignasi M
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Monday night away at Villa is tough - the crowd is loud and behind their team, also they need to make up for that drubbing from Brighton. Arsenal should win, but Villa should score. Villa 1-2 Arsenal.

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    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      I always underestimate Villa.

      "Oh they play a high line, there will be plenty of space for attackers."

      Nope, Villa are a tough.

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      1. Ignasi M
        1 month, 20 days ago

        They always turn up versus Arsenal. Such a hard place to go to, especially midweek games in the night. If this were a 3pm Saturday kick off, I'd fancy Arsenal to win comfortably, but villa park is very tough under the floodlights.

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    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Crowd won't be a problem this evening as one stand is empty

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      1. Ignasi M
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Good point, but they're still making noise.

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    3. x.jim.x
      1 month, 20 days ago

      This is far too sensible - teams are only judged off their last result on here, hence people selling United players before Ipswich and buying Brighton defenders before Chelsea.

      Arsenal should win 10-0 and Villa will be beat Derby’s record.

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  19. g40steve
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Raya lol

    Bar

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  20. Ignasi M
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Buendia, cross bar

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  21. Brosstan
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Kai Lolertz

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  22. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    1 month, 20 days ago

    I probably want a Villa goal with only one Arsenal defender lol

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yeah likely

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  23. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Imagine if Havertz were a lethal finisher.

    He'd be Giroud-level of cult hero.

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    1. x.jim.x
      1 month, 20 days ago

      He already is for both them and Chelsea tbh

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      1. Moon Dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Yeah but not in a good way.

        I know Giroud had a donkey reputation too at the time, but he scored 73 goals for Arsenal and is France's all time #2 goalscorer behind Mbappe. Became a legend in my eyes.

        I'll always remember his assist for THAT Wilshere goal:
        https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HJCaUOYz_Bg

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        1. x.jim.x
          1 month, 20 days ago

          He won Chelsea the CL and helped Arsenal win their first PL in 20 years - everyone in this squad will get cult hero status at minimum

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          1. Moon Dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 month, 20 days ago

            Fair point.

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  24. x.jim.x
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Congrats Gabriel owners on the inevitable goal, this keeper’s flapping worse than Onana.

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      I hope you’re right.

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    2. Ignasi M
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yeah, but Arsenal haven't really tested him yet. Tzolis very quiet. Even game so far.

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  25. Feanor
    1 month, 20 days ago

    What's up with the one Covid stand?

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    1. x.jim.x
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Renovation

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    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Scroll up & see my comment above

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    3. NZREDS
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Construction

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    4. Ignasi M
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Woodworm in the joists

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    5. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      "Covid stand"

      😆

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  26. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Does feel like a Gabriel haul especially since HB did, could see some GBH drafts

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  27. Pep Roulette
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Across their first two matches, David Moyes’ men have conceded 4.12 expected goals (xG), the fourth-most of any team.

    Bournemouth looked pretty dangerous down Everton’s left flank on Saturday, too, with Rayan (£6.5m) squandering two big chances. The Brazilian international also finished top for shots (five).

    These points from a previous article has shifted my thinking towards holding Mbeumo for another game.

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    1. Ignasi M
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yeah Mbeumo could have had three yesterday.

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    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yeah he's staying in my team.

      How many times in FPL has a player hauled the moment you remove them?

      Taking out fit quality players, who are long-term proven, is begging the FPL Gods for pain.

      Mbeumo against Everton is great, and an extra FT is even better.

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  28. g40steve
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Decent save Suzuki

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  29. Ignasi M
    1 month, 20 days ago

    It does feel though that if Arsenal do score, Villa might collapse, but Arsenal poor in front of goal so far.

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  30. Ignasi M
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Good chance for Villa.

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