A glance at the 20 Premier League clubs heading into the new season, kicking off Aug. 15:

ARSENAL= Nickname: - The Gunners.

Stadium: Emirates Stadium (capacity 60,500).

Manager: Arsene Wenger (since September 1996).

Honours: Champion 13 times (last in 2004), FA Cup champion (10 times), League Cup twice (last in 1993), Cup Winners' Cup (1994), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1970).

Last season: 4th.

New players: Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax).

Departed: Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City), Kolo Toure (Manchester City).

Prospects - Wenger's youngsters need help as Gunners fall further behind big spenders - could finish fifth for first time under the Frenchman, who arrived in September '96.

ASTON VILLA= Nickname: The Villans.

Stadium: Villa Park (39,000).

Manager: Martin O'Neill (since August 2006).

Honours: Champion seven times (last in 1981), FA Cup seven times (last in 1957), League Cup five times (last in 1996), European Cup (1982), world club champion (1982), European Super Cup (1983).

Last season: 6th.

New players: Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Fabian Delph (Leeds).

Departed: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Martin Laursen (retired), Stuart Taylor (Manchester City), Zat Knight (Bolton).

Prospects: Loss of Barry could be crucial - eighth but maybe a cup triumph.

BIRMINGHAM CITY= Nickname: The Blues.

Stadium: St. Andrews (30,000).

Manager: Alex McLeish (since November 2007).

Honours: League Cup winner (1963), league best 6th in 1956, FA Cup runner-up 1931, '56, Inter-Cities Fairs' Cup runner-up 1960, '61.

Last season: Promoted as League Championship runner-up.

New players: Christian Benitez (Santos Laguna), Lee Bowyer (West Ham), Scott Dann (Coventry), Giovanni Espinoza (Barcelona Sporting Club), Joe Hart (Manchester City - loan), Roger Johnson (Cardiff), Barry Ferguson (Rangers).

... contd.