Aston Villa player ratings vs Arsenal: One 9/10 and four 8s but two 6s

Aston Villa recorded a club-record 15th successive home Premier League victory in style as they dug deep to beat title challengers Arsenal by one goal to nil on Saturday night. Unai Emery's men were leggy and knackered throughout but rather miraculously found the extra few per cent to hang on. John McGinn was the man to open the scoring as he found the top left corner within just seven minutes but the painstaking 83 or so that followed were the most vital as Villa showed immense character. Another three points to add to the three earned against Manchester City midweek sees the Villans move to within merely two of league leaders Liverpool.

The hosts got off to the perfect start as captain McGinn had the coolest head in the house to score from just outside the six-yard box. Boubacar Kamara started the move with a brave run on the ball but it was Youri Tielemans' awareness to find Leon Bailey on the half-turn that unlocked the Arsenal defence. Bailey did brilliantly to make it to the byline before cutting it back to McGinn, who turned expertly before firing into the left corner. The roof nearly lifted off Villa Park as the ball nestled beyond David Raya's reach.

Mikel Arteta, watching on from the stands due to a touchline suspension, would've been angered by the first half an hour or so as his side failed to create too much. Arsenal improved vastly after the 30-minute mark, however, as they began to carve out countless clear-cut chances. Martin Ødegaard saw a low drive from the edge of the area sail just wide of the right post before having a close-range strike well anticipated by Emiliano Martinez. Gabriel Martinelli went near, too, as he attempted a cheeky dink over Martinez but had his effort cleared away by Diego Carlos.

The Villans, who had been starved of possession for a lengthy period after their opener, had a rare opportunity to extend their lead to two as Ollie Watkins was played in behind by Tielemans. The England international striker couldn't get the required direction on his shot, though, enabling Raya to direct the ball away. Gabriel Jesus switched the momentum yet again as he forced Martinez into a save just a few minutes later. It was a strike you'd expect the Yashin Award winner to stop but it certainly helped pile on the pressure.

Unai Emery was forced into a change at the interval as Bailey's race was run. Moussa Diaby came on in his place but it turned out it wasn't just Bailey who needed resting. Villa looked leggy and understandably so given the hard work put into beating Manchester City midweek. The visitors took good advantage as they pressed on relentlessly for an equaliser and were very nearly gifted one due to a defensive mix-up. An inswinging Saka corner came off the gloves of Martinez, into Watkins and back off the face of the post. Carlos was there to clear away to spare the hosts' blushes.

More glorious opportunities followed for Arsenal, including another for Ødegaard as Kai Havertz was allowed in behind far too easily by Ezri Konsa and played it across the face of goal. Ødegaard failed to hit the target, putting his effort well wide, but the Gunners' domination continued. Emery made yet more substitutions to try and inject some fresh energy into the game and they helped as Villa were able to lower the tempo somewhat.

Arsenal thought they'd finally equalised as Havertz bundled the ball over the line from a Saka delivery but referee Jarred Gillett pointed out a handball from the German attacker. Despite replays showing the ball clearly hitting Havertz's hand two or three times as he controlled, VAR took a mightilty long look, creating a hugely tense 90 seconds or so for all those in claret and blue. Villa, albeit battered and bruised, were able to hold on for a second famous victory in the space of four days.