Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Emirates Stadium
Arsenal maintain their perfect start after beating Aston Villa in a fiery clash at the Emirates Stadium. As the Gunners make it five from five, the question is not how long they can keep this up but how long Steven Gerrard can keep his job.
Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow has invested a lot of trust and club money into his former Liverpool star’s project, and he is likely to get games after Saturday’s daunting home game against Manchester City, but the wonder is whether they will all be overtaken by events. Or, rather, defeats.
Here, at a buoyant Arsenal stadium, it was as if Villa were almost powerless to stop Mikel Arteta’s effervescent side claiming 2-1 win. There was barely a challenge for Gabriel Martinelli’s winning goal. Gerrard’s approach, in stark contrast to Arsenal’s run, seems unsustainable.
So, while Villa look to the weekend with trepidation, Arsenal look to it with hope. They have positive momentum, confidence and an edge, all of which form the ideal mentality to be going to Manchester United in search of the sort of victory that would really serve as a statement.
Relive the action from Arsenal’s victory over Aston Villa:
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
INCHES WIDE! Villa fail to clear the danger from a corner and Saliba works the ball to Gabriel to strike at goal on his left foot. He lines up a powerful low drive that is deflected inches wide of the left post with Martinez rooted to the spot.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
SAVE! Odegaard catches out the Villa defence with a quick ball over the top from a free-kick. Jesus collects in the inside-right channel, but he sees his blast from the angle palmed behind by Martinez.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
It has been a niggly start to the game with free-kicks for both teams. Neither side has been able to find their rhythm yet.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Saka bursts into the Villa box down the right flank and gets held up by Mings. The winger goes down amid pressure from the Villa defender, but the referee dismisses his appeal for a spot-kick.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Lokonga and McGinn battle in an aerial duel, which sees the Arsenal man catch the Villa skipper in the face with a stray arm. The referee says that it was accidental and points for a drop-ball rather than a Villa free-kick.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
CHANCE! Neat interplay between Bailey and Ramsey opens up space for Buendia in the Arsenal box, but he lifts his effort harmlessly over the bar. That was half a chance for the visitors.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Arsenal win a free-kick down the right flank that Martinelli whips into the box. Jesus flick-on is cleared by Villa before Tierney knocks it back into the middle. Martinelli is then penalised for a nudge on Digne.
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