Premier League champions Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season, following up their opening-day victory over Coventry with a hard-fought win at Aston Villa.
After a cagey first half in which neither side managed a shot on target, Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock in the 59th minute.
The goal came from a well-worked team move, with Eze sliding the ball through the lines for Riccardo Calafiori, who flung himself towards the byline and managed to pull the ball back across goal for Saka to bundle it over the line from close range.
There was a late injury concern for Arsenal when Cristhian Mosquera went down clutching his hamstring and was unable to continue. He was replaced by Ezri Konsa, who joined from Villa only last week and received a largely warm reception on his return, with applause from the home crowd mixed with a smattering of boos.
Despite a late spell of pressure from Villa, Arsenal saw the game out to collect all three valuable points.
Daily Mail Sport’s TOM COLLOMOSSE and ISAAN KHAN were in position at Villa Park to run the rule over both sets of players…
After a cagey first half in which neither side managed a shot on target, Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock in the 59th minute
Villa’s new goalkeeper Zion Suzuki caught the eye on his debut with his impressive distribution
Aston Villa (4-3-3)
Zion Suzuki – 6
The debutant caught the eye with his range of kicking on either foot, which can become a key weapon. A couple of good saves, a couple of shaky moments.
Matty Cash – 7
Struggles against wingers with extreme pace and luckily for him, neither Christos Tzolis nor Eberechi Eze has it. Tenacious in defence and attacked where he could. Subbed.
Victor Lindelof – 6.5
Very shaky at Brighton last week but did better here, defending his box well and using the ball calmly when he had to.
Pau Torres – 5.5
Lucky not to be punished when he gave the ball away playing out. Better than he was at Brighton but looks nervous without Ezri Konsa beside him.
Ian Maatsen – 4.5
Arsenal tried to isolate him against Bukayo Saka throughout. Made a foolish foul on his man, then lost him for the opener. A night to forget.
Ian Maatsen lost Bukayo Saka for the opener and had a night to forget against the champions
Boubacar Kamara – 7
Villa’s key man had to stay ultra-focused as Arsenal’s full backs stepped inside to create overloads in the middle. Did his job well as usual.
Ross Barkley – 6.5
Played up front last week, now asked to play as one of two holding midfielders, and he handled a difficult challenge well. Passing was not always on point. Subbed.
John McGinn – 6
Never easy to play against, the Villa skipper operated from the right and was furious when Tzolis was not shown a second yellow for a clear drag-back. Booked.
Emi Buendia – 7.5
Fabulous strike that hit the bar early on. The Argentine was typically lively and will rue his poor pass to Jackson when Villa had a four-against-three break.
Emi Buendia was typically lively and will rue his poor pass to Jackson when Villa had a four-against-three break
George Hemmings – 6.5
A prospect. Had a tough assignment both with and without the ball and performed steadily. Should have a Premier League career ahead of him. Subbed.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
This was his debut and, understandably, he is still working to understand his team-mates. For most of the game, Arsenal’s centre backs shackled him pretty well. Subbed.
Substitutes
Tammy Abraham (for Jackson, 71) – 6
Villa have been willing to let him go all window and it was no surprise that Jackson came straight in for his debut.
Alysson (for Hemmings, 71) – 6.5
Ran on the outside of Calafiori and fired across goal for Abraham, who nearly turned it in.
Manager
Unai Emery – 6
Allowed Arsenal to dictate the tempo of the match and hoped to hit them on the break. His team faded after a solid first half.
Emery allowed Arsenal to dictate the tempo of the match and hoped to hit them on the break
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1)
David Raya – 6.5
Had his crossbar rattled by Buendia in the first half. Claimed crosses with confidence. Stayed alert when Villa looked dangerous in attacking areas.
Ben White – 5.5
Kept trying to link up with Bukayo Saka. Passing accuracy was lacking, which was a problem. Needed to be better on the ball.
Cristhian Mosquera – 7
Solid positioning and got stuck into tackles. Good pass in the lead-up to Saka’s goal. Stepped up to the challenge.
Gabriel – 6.5
Took the responsibility of leading the backline. Pressed up the pitch and looked for passes, though Jackson enjoyed dribbling against him.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7.5
His left flank was occasionally exposed due to the Italian’s high positioning. But an excellent run and cross to assist Saka. Such a threat in attack.
Calafiori was a strong threat in attack and made an excellent run and cross to assist Saka
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Smart play in the middle. Shielded the ball well, astute both in attack and in his own box.
Declan Rice – 8.5
Played in a quarterback-style role. Good distribution both short and aerially. Villa’s midfield looked worried when Rice was in possession, charging forward.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Lost the ball a few times in the first half but kept going. Good movement to get on the scoresheet. He’s now scored in consecutive league matches.
Martin Odegaard – 6.5
An intricate pass on 14 minutes should’ve been capitalised on by Kai Havertz. Could have been more effective on counter-attacks.
Christos Tzolis – 4.5
A crash down to earth after recent strong displays. Flustered by Matty Cash’s physicality and couldn’t get going. A real lesson for the winger.
New signing Christos Tzolis was sent crashing back down to earth after recent strong displays
Kai Havertz – 5
An underwhelming display. Missed a few chances, including after being played through by Bruno Guimaraes in the second half.
Substitutes
Eberechi Eze (for Christos Tzolis, 46) – 6.5
Mikel Merino (for Martin Odegaard, 71) – 6.5
Bruno Guimaraes (for Myles Lewis-Skelly, 71) – 7
Ezri Konsa (for Cristhian Mosquera, 79) – N/A
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 7
Patient with his tactics as Arsenal gradually ground the opposition down.
Referee – Jarred Gillett – 6.5
Decided to give Tzolis a let-off for his foul on McGinn, keeping the second yellow card in his pocket and playing advantage instead. Otherwise, a steady display.
Attendance: 36,804
