On the second weekend of the Premier League season, Aston Villa and Arsenal battled till the finish, with Arsenal winning 2-0.
Leandro Trossard scored from the bench for the visitors, who struggled throughout the game. Michael Arteta’s team added a second goal through Thomas Partey.
Arsenal now has two wins in a row, matching last season’s opponents Manchester City. They aim to capture their first Premier League title since 2004.
They won one of their first matches on Saturday, despite having few star players.
Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN gives his player ratings from Villa Park, where Arsenal beat 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.
Made a fantastic save to deny Saka early on. That hard work was undone by Partey’s goal, on which he had a hand but deflected the ball into the net.
Matty Cash: Six.
Due to an injury, I was only able to last 16 minutes. A stressful evening for him.
Ezri Konsa scored 6.5.
Havertz was kept at bay for much of the game, and a cross from a free kick went just wide of the post. It was unfortunate that we had to concede twice.
Pau Torres: Six.
Partey utilized it as a shield for his second goal. I stayed in the game but felt discouraged after the first goal went in.
Lucas Digne: Six.
The opposition occasionally targets him in midfield fights. He was helped by the players surrounding him.
Amadou Onana: 7.
Timber was clattered after only two minutes, but he recovered to put in a strong performance. An engine for the Villa midfield. His misdirected shot struck the crossbar.
Youri Tielemans scored 6.5.
Complemented Onana effectively and laid the groundwork 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, struck the crossbar and was an engine in Villa’s midfield throughout.
Leon Bailey: 6.5.
Provided a way for his teammates to break into the area. I tried a cheeky chip on Raya.
John McGinn: 6.5.
Up for the fight and a thorn in the opponent’s side. Never flinched away, as evidenced by booting the ball into Saliba while he was down.
Morgan Rogers: Seven.
His dribbling ability and determination to break through the lines forward stretched Arsenal. After Gabriel made a mistake that should have resulted in a goal, he passed the ball to Ollie Watkins.
Ollie Watkins: Seven.
I’ll be wondering how he exited this game without scoring a goal. After 25 minutes, he should have scored with a simple one-on-one with Raya, but he dragged it wide. Villa’s primary 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 upset to come away with nothing from the game after his team produced so many clear-cut chances.
Ollie Watkins squandered two golden scoring chances but remains Villa’s major attacking threat.
Arsenal (4-3-3).
David Raya: Seven.
After 55 minutes, Ollie Watkins’ diving header from yards out was denied with a remarkable reflex save. One of the match’s most memorable moments.
Ben White: 6.5.
Marshalled the right side well defensively, occasionally joining up in the final third. His overlap in the first half could have been greater if his teammates were present.
William Saliba: 6.5.
Throughout the match, he fought physically with Ollie Watkins. Was defeated in some of the duels, but did not give up in a vital battle for both sides.
Gabriel: Six.
His unusual blunder after 25 minutes, in which Leon Bailey dispossessed him, should have resulted in a goal allowed. Fortunately, Amadou Onana’s attempt deflected off the Brazilian and bounced off the crossbar.
Jurrien Timbers: 6.5
He appeared strong and confident in his first league start in a year due to injuries. I enjoyed occupying space in the middle of the pitch.
Martin Odegaard: 7. 5
In the second half, he switched gears and became a key member of Arsenal’s attack. I sent a number of clever balls via the channels. Odegaard’s reverse pass resulted in Leandro Trossard’s goal.
David Raya made a fantastic reaction stop to deny Watkins in the second half after the England forward appeared to have scored.
Raya, who secured his second clean sheet in as many games this season, delivered one of the game’s highlight moments.
Thomas Partey: Seven.
A step up from the previous week’s performance. His ball distribution helped control the game’s tempo, which was capped off by a goal.
Declan Rice scored 8.5.
Solid all around. Provided excellent opportunities for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli with precise passes through the backline, as well as tracking back when necessary.
Bukayo Saka scored 6.5.
Emi Martinez denied me on 16 minutes and snuffed out my one-on-one opportunity in the second half. Though Saka’s cross deflected into Trossard’s path for the goal.
Kai Havertz: Six.
During the offensive phases, there was a lack of killer instinct. After 34 minutes, I had a wonderful chance on the break to provide a crucial cross, but I was denied.
Gabriel Martinelli: 6.5.
I 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