talkSPORT have you covered on GameDay with live coverage of the eagerly anticipated game between Tottenham and Aston Villa at 5:30pm.
The Villans are back in the top flight and would have struggled to hand-pick a tougher start than Tottenham away.
However, with 12 new signings, optimism surrounding Dean Smith and his Aston Villa side is considerably high.
Tottenham have put an end to their silence in the transfer market by splashing the cash on Tanguy Ndombele, Jack Clarke, Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso.
Their squad now is as strong as ever and competing with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the table has to be the aim.
You never quite know what to expect from promoted sides on the first day, so it’s set up to be an intriguing encounter between the two teams.
Where could the match be won and lost? talkSPORT.com have identified the three key battles that could have a telling contribution throughout the ninety minutes.
LIVE on talkSPORT
Saturday is GameDay on talkSPORT, beginning in east London
- West Ham vs Manchester City (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Leeds vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Crystal Palace vs Everton (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Tottenham vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
Tanguy Ndombele vs John McGinn
Tottenham set a precedent at the beginning of the window by signing Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon for a club-record fee.
The powerful central-midfielder spent just two seasons with the French club but after a number of eye-catching performances, Spurs sought the 22-year-old to replace Mousa Dembele.
Ndombele has since been very impressive in pre-season but could come unstuck against Aston Villa’s Player of the Season John McGinn.
The Scotsman signed a new five-year contract at Villa Park on Deadline Day and looks more than ready to challenge himself in the Premier League.
Harry Kane vs Tyrone Mings
Tottenham captain Kane put a stop to his unwanted August horror by scoring two in the opening month last season and ended the campaign with 17 strikes to his name, despite two injuries.
Tasked with containing the 26-year-old is Tyrone Mings, who will certainly give as good as he gets throughout the 90 minutes.
After making 15 appearances when arriving on-loan at Villa Park last season, Mings became a fans favourite as he helped lead the club to promotion.
It goes without saying it will be a tough, physical encounter between the two of them.
Kyle Walker-Peters vs Anwar El Ghazi
Since Kieran Trippier was sold to Atletico Madrid and Serge Aurier has missed most of pre-season, Kyle Walker-Peters is expected to start at right-back.
The 22-year-old was limited to just six appearances in the Premier League and will look to impress manager Mauricio Pochettino, convincing him he is the man to start into the foreseeable future.
Troubling Walker-Peters is likely to be Anwar El Ghazi, who scored Villa’s first goal at Wembley in the Championship play-off final putting them on their way to the Premier League.
The tricky winger signed on a permanent deal from LOSC Lille this summer and will hope to make an immediate impact for Villa in the top flight.
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