Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Bukayo Saka goal seals win

The second half is under way and Arsenal are straight back on the attack.

Arsenal much the better side and ahead thanks to Saka’s well-hit strike. The only positive for Villa is that it’s only one.

45 min: Now Xhaka is booked! He snaps at and then shoves Buendia, and that’s an accumulation of fouls. He was oh so close to making it to half-time. A Xhaka red card is probably Arsenal’s biggest threat at this point, all things considered.

43 min: Martinez catches the corner easily but is blocked by Xhaka as he tries to clear quickly, and the Swiss might be a little fortunate not to collect a yellow card. Moments later Partey clatters through the back of Ramsey and also avoids a booking, though that’s probably his last warning.

41 min: Smith Rowe comes forward down the left and Arsenal work it to Tierney, whose cross is cleared behind for a corner by Mings.

37 min: Tierney tries a cross to the back post but it’s just too long for Lacazette. Villa need half-time and a few moments to regroup.

33 min: Not only was Mings booked, but McGinn was also shown yellow in the skirmish which followed. Not a great few minutes for Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard, who watches glumly in with hands firmly in pockets.

32 min: Only moments after celebrating his goal, Saka is down injured after being caught by Mings’ follow through. Arsenal are furious and Mings is booked, but it seemed to be a natural motion of the leg and more careless rather than anything malicious.

That’s Saka’s 10th goal of the season, moving him level with Arsenal’s top scorer Smith Rowe.

Finally the breakthrough! A cross is only half cleared and as it bobbles around on the edge of the box, Saka reacts quickly to let off a low shot which slides past Martinez and into the corner. The goalkeeper probably should have saved it, although his view might have been partially blocked.