Aston Villa beats Arsenal to pile pressure on Wenger, Liverpool also opens season with win
MANCHESTER, England – Aston Villa compounded the simmering frustration at Arsenal by winning 3-1 at Emirates Stadium while Liverpool rode its luck to also start the new Premier League season with a victory on Saturday.
Christian Benteke scored twice as Villa came from behind to beat Arsenal, which was booed off by fans already angry at manager Arsene Wenger’s failure to strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez — Arsenal’s main target in the off-season — was in the stands because of suspension as his team defeated Stoke 1-0 thanks to Daniel Sturridge’s 37th-minute goal, although it needed debutant Simon Mignolet’s late penalty save to preserve the lead.
West Ham, Southampton and Fulham also started with wins, while Norwich drew 2-2 with Everton.
Manchester United begins the defence of its title at Swansea later Saturday.
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