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Aston Villa and Arsenal pushed each other all the way on the second weekend of the Premier League season, with the Gunners securing a hard-fought 2-0 win.
Leandro Trossard came off the bench to net for the visitors after they were perhaps second best for much of the game, before Thomas Partey scored a second for Mikel Arteta and Co.
The result means the Gunners are now on two wins from two, matching last season’s rivals Manchester City as they look to finally topple the champions and win their first Premier League title since 2004.
Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN offers his player ratings from Villa Park as Arsenal edged past Aston Villa.
Leandro Trossard (centre) came off the bench to score a vital for for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Saturday
Thomas Partey (left) added a second in the second half to put the game out of Villa’s reach
Arteta’s side have now won both of their games so far this season without conceding a goal
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1)
Emi Martinez: 5.5
Pulled off a top save to deny Saka early on. That hard work was undone by Partey’s goal, which he got a hand to but deflected the ball into the net.
Matty Cash: 6
Only lasted 16 minutes due to injury. A frustrating evening for him.
Ezri Konsa: 6.5
Kept Havertz at bay for much of the game and a cross off a free-kick go just wide of the post. Unlucky to concede twice.
Pau Torres: 6
Was used as shield by Partey for the second goal. Kept in the game but became deterred after the first goal went in.
Lucas Digne: 6
Targeted by the opposition in midfield battles at times. Though was aided by the players around him.
Amadou Onana: 7
Clattered after just two minutes by Timber but brushed it off to put in a solid display. An engine in the Villa midfield. His deflected shot hit the crossbar.
Youri Tielemans: 6.5
Complemented Onana well and provided the base for much of his team’s success.
Emi Martinez undid his hard work with an error that saw him get a hand to Arsenal’s second goal
Amadou Onana, meanwhile, hit the crossbar and was an engine in Villa’s midfield throughout
Leon Bailey: 6.5
Provided an outlet for his other team-mates to break into the area. Tried a cheeky chip on Raya.
John McGinn: 6.5
Up for the fight and a thorn in the opposition side. Never shied away, as seem by booting the ball into Saliba while he was grounded.
Morgan Rogers: 7
His dribbling skill and eagerness to break the lines forward stretched Arsenal. Provided Ollie Watkins with the ball, after Gabriel’s mistake, which should have been scored.
Ollie Watkins: 7
Will be still wondering how he left this game without a goal. Should have scored after 25 minutes with a simple chance one on one with Raya, only to drag wide. Villa’s main attacking hope.
SUBSTITUTES
ROSS BARKLEY: N/A
JHON DURAN: 6
KOSTA NEDELJKOVIC: 6
IAN MAATSEN: N/A
JACOB RAMSEY: 6.5
Manager – UNAI EMERY: 6
Will be disappointed to get nothing from the game after the clear-cut chances his team created.
Ollie Watkins missed two glorious chances to score but remains Villa’s main attacking threat
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
David Raya: 7
Reflex save to deny Ollie Watkins’s diving header from yards out after 55 minutes was special. One of the match’s standout moments.
Ben White: 6.5
Marshalled the right flank well defensively and joined up in the final third occasionally. His overlap in the first half could have come to more if his team-mates were there.
William Saliba: 6.5
Physically tussled with Ollie Watkins throughout the match. Was overcome in some of the duels, but did not relent in a key battle for both sides
Gabriel: 6
His uncharacteristic mistake after 25 minutes, which saw Leon Bailey dispossess him, should have resulted in a conceded goal. Was lucky that Amadou Onana’s shot, which deflected off the Brazilian, bounced off the crossbar.
Jurrien Timber: 6.5
Looked strong and confident on his first league start in a year due to injury. Enjoyed occupying space in middle of the pitch.
Martin Odegaard: 7.5
Switched gears in the second half and became central to Arsenal’s attacks. Played a number of clever balls through the channels. It was Odegaard’s reverse pass which led to Leandro Trossard’s goal.
David Raya pulled off a sensational reflex save to deny Watkins in the second half when the England man looked to have scored
Raya, who secured his second clean sheet in as many games this season, produced one of the game’s standout moments
Thomas Partey: 7
An improved display from last week. His ball distribution helped control the game’s tempo and topped that off with a goal.
Declan Rice: 8.5
Solid all round. Provided great chances for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli with intricate passes through the backline and tracked back when required.
Bukayo Saka: 6.5
Denied by Emi Martinez on 16 minutes, and scuppered by him one-on-one in the second half. Though Saka’s cross deflected into Trossard’s path for his goal.
Kai Havertz: 6
Lacked the killer instinct in attacking phases. Had a good chance on the break to provide a vital cross after 34 minutes but that was thwarted.
Gabriel Martinelli: 6.5
Attempted a number of crosses. The effort was there, the execution could have been better.
Declan Rice (right) was the star man, creating good chances for both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard: 7.5
Reiss Nelson: N/A
Riccardo Calafiori: N/A
Manager – Mikel Arteta: 6
Substitute Leandro Trossard scored the goal which broke the deadlock. But he will wonder whether he should have started him in place of Martinelli.
Referee – Michael Oliver: 6
Controlled the match fairly. Didn’t let it get out of hand.
