Referee now confirmed for Arsenal trip to Aston Villa, he made huge error in key fixture last season

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Arsenal face a tough trip to face Aston Villa this weekend, as they aim to build upon their opening day victory over Wolves.

Arsenal’s early fixture schedule is a difficult one, as their first three away games will see them face Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side secured a fairly unremarkable victory over Wolves to start the season, but this was perhaps the ideal opening day as they came away with three points and a clean sheet, with little drama.

They will now face Unai Emery’s Villa side in what is a huge test of their title credentials. Arsenal lost to Villa home and away last season, with a 1-0 defeat at Villa Park in November.

Arsenal are aiming to go one step further to beat Manchester City in the title race, but they cannot afford many slip-ups over the course of the season. However, the referee selection for the upcoming clash with Villa may have fans worried.

• READ MORE: The eight worst Arsenal VAR decisions of all time in Premier League games

Michael Oliver appointed referee for Aston Villa vs Arsenal

The Premier League have now confirmed that Michael Oliver will be the referee for Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa, with Peter Bankes on VAR duty.

Oliver has refereed 58 Arsenal games in his career, with the Gunners winning 29, drawing 11, and losing 18 times. In these games, Oliver has handed out 98 yellow cards, three straight reds, and awarded five penalties.

Although he is one of the most experienced referees in the Premier League, fans will remember a key mistake he made in a big Arsenal game last season.

Michael Oliver failed to send off Mateo Kovacic in Arsenal victory over Man City

In October last year, Arsenal recorded a vital 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Emirates, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a late winner.

However, the tight game could have been a lot easier if Oliver had sent off Man City midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian was treading thin ice as he picked up an early yellow card, but fans were outraged as he still flew into tackles, for which he should have seen a second yellow.

Arsenal fans will now hope that Oliver does not make a similar mistake at Villa Park, in what is expected to be a tight game against a fellow Champions League side.