Arsenal vs Aston Villa

The bookies make Arsenal strong favorites to win this game but, I have a feeling this could be very tight.
Although Arsenal have had a reasonable pre season culminating in a 3-1 victory over Man City there is sure to be a hint of unrest over the lack of any, as promised, marquee signings.
Aston Villa on the other hand seemed to have invested wisely during the window with numbers and experience being added to the squad. This being topped off with Paul Lambert persuading star striker Christian Benteke to stick with the Villain’s for at least another season.
From the outside I see Villa progressing this season and finishing in the top ten, would be interested if their fans would be satisfied with that progress and a run in one of the cups. I won’t mention Bradford if you don’t!
I think there will be goals in this with both teams looking stronger offensively rather than defensively and with my Arsenal head I am tipping the Gunners to edge it by the odd goal.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

Likely Line-ups
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger is expected to stick with his conventional 4-3-3 formation.
Schezney
Sanga, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs
Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere
Walcott, Giroud, Carzorla
Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is also likely to opt for 4-3-3, as he has done in Pre-Season

Guzan,
Lowton, Okore, Vlaar, Luna,
El Ahmadi, Delph, Weimann,
Tonev, Agbonlahor, Benteke