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PL appoint same Villa-Arsenal ref as in controversial previous fixture

Jarred Gillett will officiate yet another Arsenal game on Monday, with the Premier League naming him as the referee for the Gunners’ trip to Villa Park.

Filip Joergensen of Chelsea speaks with Referee Jarred Gillett after Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa took the ball off him during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park on March 04, 2026 in Birmingham, England.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

After he was named on VAR for Arsenal’s win over Coventry City last Friday, Jarred Gillett is set for another Arsenal game next week.

The Premier League have confirmed that Gillett will referee Arsenal away to Aston Villa, assisted by Neil Davies and Steve Meredith. Sam Barrott will be the fourth official, with James Bell on VAR and Nick Hopton as the assistant VAR.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Referee, Jarred Gillett is challenged by Pau Torres of Aston Villa and Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

This isn’t the first time Gillett has refereed Arsenal at Villa Park, and the previous occasion sparked plenty of controversy.

Arsenal were denied a penalty for an apparent foul by Douglas Luiz on Gabriel Jesus, with the Arsenal man getting to the ball first and the contact clear on the replays, but no spot-kick awarded.

The Gunners then had a late goal ruled out for a supposed handball by Kai Havertz. The replays were somewhat inconclusive, but as Gillett had ruled out the goal on-field, VAR could only intervene if it was a clear and obvious error.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Referee Jarred Gillett with a yellow card during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Arsenal will hope for less controversy this time around, particularly as Villa Park hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners in recent years.

Of the team’s seven trips away to Villa this decade, Arsenal have won three and lost four, including a 2-1 defeat during last season’s title-winning campaign.

With Arsenal opening their 2026/27 Premier League account with a 3-0 win, and Villa starting the season with a 4-0 defeat, the hope is that the Gunners are in a better position to pick up three points this time around.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal leads the team in shaking the hands of players of Coventry City before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
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