Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Gunners Make An Early Statement In The Midlands?

Avoiding what was a potential banana skin on Saturday evening, Arsenal collected an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at Aston Villa.

Looking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories in the Midlands, Mikel Arteta’s camp were frustrated for large spells as England international Ollie Watkins missed a pair of golden opportunities on either side of the half-time break.

However, just seconds after coming off the bench midway through the second-half, Leandro Trossard opened the scoring thanks to a smart finish past ex-Arsenal shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez.

The Gunners quickly doubled their advantage just 10 minutes after Trossard’s opener as Ghana international Thomas Partey swept home from the edge of the box.

Making it consecutive Premier League victories and overcoming an Aston Villa squad that have a famous Champions League adventure on the horizon, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the Midlands.

The Gunners lay down an early marker

Eventually falling short last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, Arsenal are desperate to go one-step further this time around.

Signing off the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of an extended flurry, Arteta’s young squad appear to have only continued from where they left off back in May.

Getting proceedings underway with a routine display at the Emirates as they collected a 2-0 victory at home against Wolves, the Gunners have certainly come flying out of the traps.

Overcoming what was always going to be a potential banana skin on Saturday evening and leaving the Midlands with what was a real scalp, Arsenal are rightfully regarded to once again be Manchester City’s main title foe this season.

Keeping pace with the defending Premier League champions and still looking to remain active during the final week of the summer transfer window, Arteta’s men should be find the mood in their camp at a continued high.

Defensive steel that backbone of Arsenal’s success

While many around the Emirates might have been frustrated this summer as Arsenal failed to add a new number nine to their ranks, Arteta will be hugely excited by his side’s defensive steel.

Although Watkins should have bagged Villa at least a consolation strike on Saturday evening, the Gunners have continued to gain a reputation for the continued performances at the back.

Watching Spanish shot-stopper David Raya produce a pair of sensational stops on either side of the half-time break, Arsenal are yet to concede a single goal from any of their opening two Premier League appearances.

Likewise, conceding just 29 goals in their 38 Premier League appearances last season and holding the best defensive record among England’s elite, Arsenal appear to have continued on from where they left off back in May.

In fact, leaving the Midlands unscathed and with maximum points here, Arteta’s side have also recorded nine clean sheets in their previous 10 away fixtures continuing on from last season.

Villa will be ruing missed opportunities

Making real history last season as they secured a famous Champions League ticket, Unai Emery’s men have rightfully received a string of plaudits on either side of the summer interval.

However, while the one-time Arsenal boss might have seen his side open the 2024/25 campaign with a 2-1 victory away at European dreamers West Ham, Saturday’s hosts will be ruing a missed opportunity here.

Collecting a sensational 2-0 win when they travelled to north London back on April 14th and handing Arsenal’s title ambitions a crucial blow, the Villains were seeking a repeat performance this weekend.

Watching Watkins miss a pair of golden chances on either side of the half-time break, Villa will simply be looking to dust themselves down quickly and claim an immediate response next weekend.

With their sights firmly set on mounting another genuine top-four charge this time around, Emery’s men will travel to Premier League returners Leicester next week smelling the chance to claim an immediate response.

Match Report

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, McGuinn, Bailey, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Barkley, Duran, Nedeljkovic, Maatsen, Ramsey

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Subs: Trossard, Nelson, Calafiori

Goals: Trossard (67’), Partey (77’)

Yellow Cards: Aston Villa: Onana – Arsenal: Rice, Odegaard, Gabriel

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Michael Oliver