Aston Villa player ratings vs Arsenal: One 'terrible' 4/10 but 'star man' gets 8/10

Ollie Watkins scuppered two huge opportunities either side of half-time and Amadou Onana saw a deflected shot strike the crossbar, denying the Villans what could’ve been a contrasting outlook on another day.

The Gunners came to town with a clear game plan: to be patient in possession and await opportunities on the turnover. Mikel Arteta’s men executed their intentions superbly as Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey showed the composure Villa lacked in those scenarios, scoring the two decisive goals to make it six points out of six.

Much of the first half set the tone for the result as Arsenal controlled proceedings, passing the ball around the back with confidence. It may have been boring on the eye but it was effective on the most part as Villa were starved off opportunities, boxed into their own defensive third.

That was, until, Watkins had his first glorious chance. Leon Bailey did excellently to charge down Gabriel and force an error, feeding Morgan Rogers who picked out Watkins for a gleaming opportunity. But the Villa number 11 fluffed his lines, scuffing his first-time attempt wide of the left post.

Emery had been forced into an early change earlier in the half as Matty Cash stretched too far and tweaked his hamstring. Kosta Nedeljkovic, merely 18 years of age, was brought on in Cash’s place. Diego Carlos, meanwhile, was controversially ignored as Emery opted against moving Ezri Konsa across to right-back.

Chances dried up for both teams approaching the break, with the only real action coming from a frenzy near the corner flag. It was all sparked by John McGinn kicking the ball at Saliba on the ground before Ben White then got his own back, striking the ball even harder back at McGinn. A lively shoving match then ensued between the two teams, entertaining supporters on the near side.

Villa improved their attacking output at the start of the second half and went agonisingly close to taking the lead. Amadou Onana’s long-range effort deflected off Gabriel and dramatically looped onto the crossbar, before Watkins had his second clear-cut chance. The striker simply had to score as he saw a close-range header on the follow-up saved acrobatically on the line by David Raya.

Arsenal took the lead soon afterward, making Villa deeply regret their misses. Trossard made an instant impact off the bench, showing ice-cold composure to make it 1-0. Rogers failed to clear Saka’s low cross from the byline and Trossard was waiting unmarked to slot the ball home into the bottom right corner. Nedeljkovic, perhaps unknowingly, displayed signs of inexperience as he ball-watched and failed to track the goalscorer.

The Gunners rubbed salt in Villa’s wounds by adding a second in the 77th minute, Emiliano Martinez with a rare error as he fumbled a long-range strike from Partey. Trossard’s low cross found Saka, who composed himself to pick out Partey on the edge of the area. Martinez saw it late as Pau Torres hindered his view but the goalkeeper had to do better as his left hand flapped the ball into the net.

Arsenal fans brutally and relentlessly mocked Martinez for around 10 minutes in the aftermath, aiming nasty chants at the World Cup winner. Martin Odegaard then had a wonderful opening to make it three from a Declan Rice cut-back but the Norwegian’s shot was wild, teed well over the crossbar.

Villa, succumbed to defeat following the second goal, were unable to break down Arsenal’s resilient defence and the clash ended 2-0. It’s a disappointing and frustrating result for Emery’s side, who won’t repeat last season’s Premier League double over the visitors.

Aston Villa player ratings vs Arsenal

Here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the Villa players out of 10.

Emiliano Martinez - 6

Had to do better to keep out Partey’s goal as he flapped at the shot, albeit slightly unsighted. Kept out a superb Saka attempt in the first half, diving and using his fingertips to turn it behind. Commanded his six-yard box well.

Matty Cash - N/A (off 15) 

Forced off after a quarter of an hour in with a hamstring issue.

Ezri Konsa - 6

Looked composed when playing out from the back and was hardly fazed by Havertz’s physicality, even when the German attempted to rile him up. Went close to scoring as he directed a delicate volley inches wide of the far top corner.

Pau Torres - 5

Displayed poor positioning for both Arsenal goals, unable to cut out key passing lanes. Also got in the way of Martinez’s eyeline for Partey’s strike, though that’s admittedly a harsh criticism.

Lucas Digne - 6 (off 76’)

Took a hilariously bad free-kick in the first half but otherwise didn’t do a great deal wrong.

Amadou Onana - 6 (off 76’)

Had an early concussion concern when caught by Timber’s elbow but was given the go-ahead to carry on. Had a mixed game as he was a driving force through the centre at times but gave away several fouls. Received a booking for a cynical challenge on Saka.

Youri Tielemans - 7

Broke up the play brilliantly, notably putting in very well-timed sliding tackles on Odegaard and Martinelli.

John McGinn - 6 (off 65’)

Excellent on the half-turn to boss the likes of Partey and Rice around with his low centre of gravity. Lacked with his final product, mind.

Leon Bailey - 6

Not as involved as he would’ve liked. Worked hard to track back throughout, though, and created the golden chance for Watkins in the first half by pressing Gabriel to the point of giving the ball away.

Morgan Rogers - 8

The star man. Added drive and impetus into Villa’s attacks when others wouldn’t. Fed Watkins for the striker’s big chance and went on two outstanding solo runs just before half time, one of which got Rice in the book. Continued his fine work after the break, lifting fans off their seats every time he got the ball.

Ollie Watkins - 4 (off 65’)

Missed a sitter terribly in the first half, scuffing wide from about 12 yards. Simply had to score on the follow-up from Onana’s effort off the woodwork, too, as he was at point-blank range. Otherwise held up the ball well but his poor finishing will be what’s remembered.

Kosta Nedeljkovic - 5 (off 15’)

The 18-year-old was called into action unexpectedly in the first half as Cash went off injured. Unfortunately caught ball-watching quite a few times, including for Trossard’s goal.

Jhon Duran - 6 (on 65’)

Threw himself around to try and create spaces out of nothing, but failed to have the desired impact after replacing Watkins.

Jacob Ramsey - 6 (on 65’)

Had a decent attempt saved by Raya at the near post. Made a good run to get himself in that position.

Other subs: Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen - N/A (on 76’)