Chelsea kick off the defence of their English Premier League title at home to Manchester City on August 19 before facing their first major test against Liverpool in mid-September.

Runners-up Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford while FA Cup winners Liverpool travel to promoted Sheffield United in the opening fixtures for the new season announced on Thursday.

Aston Villa will be the first league visitors to Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium on the opening day after the London club's move from Highbury.

United have the most rigorous start of the top four. They face Tottenham Hotspur, fifth last season behind Arsenal, at home on September 9 before playing host to Arsenal a week later, the same day that Liverpool travel to Chelsea.

United play Liverpool at home on October 21.

Newly promoted Watford and Reading will play away to Everton and at home to Middlesbrough respectively.

Newcastle United, resigned to starting the season without their injured England striker Michael Owen, start the season at home to Wigan and play Manchester United away on September 30.

Iain Dowie's first fixture as Charlton Athletic manager takes him back to FA Cup runners-up West Ham, the club he played for as a striker.

The fixtures announced on Thursday are provisional and the games could take place any day over the specified weekend, depending on television schedules.