Arsenal exacts revenge on Aston Villa
Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey’s second-half goals ensured Arsenal continued its winning start to the Premier League season as it beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park.
In an entertaining contest that saw Ollie Watkins squander glorious chances in either half, Mikel Arteta’s side would hit the front in the 67th minute.
Substitute Trossard struck 110 seconds after his introduction with a fine finish from the edge of the area, with Partey’s powerful effort sealing the triumph 10 minutes later.
Martin Odegaard could have added further gloss to the Gunners’ impressive display but blazed over from inside the area after being picked out by Declan Rice.
Arsenal joins Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the top of the early-season table with six points from its first two games, while Aston Villa is down in 12th.
Having struggled to find a way behind Villa's defence, the Gunners did not shy away from the intricate passing play that has brought it so much success in recent seasons, with that performance potentially crucial for its title aspirations this early in the season.
Trossard once again proved how important his impact is valued by Arteta from the bench, with six of his 14 Arsenal goals in the Premier League coming as a substitute.
Arteta also said he believed that a stunning save from David Raya to Ollie Watkins changed the momentum of the match.
The encounter could have taken on a different complexion had it not been for a crucial intervention from Arsenal's goalkeeper eight minutes after the interval.
Amadou Onana saw his deflected effort come back off the crossbar and into the path of Watkins, who looked certain to get his tally up and running for the campaign.
However, Raya produced a remarkable instinctive save to deny the Villa striker, who had spurned another golden opportunity in the opening 45 minutes.
"We had to change momentum, we had a 10-minute gap when we didn't get the rhythm, and they were on top," Arteta said.
"They had the big chance and David made an unbelievable save, and it was the magic moment of the game.
"We conceded really little, and it's a big credit to the team as it is a difficult place to come, but when we needed him he was there, and he made a terrific save."
Arteta was also full of praise for Trossard, who emerged from the bench to net the game's opening goal just 110 seconds after being introduced.
"The competition is big, we have great players in each position, and they are going to have to accept that," Arteta said.
"We have a huge season in front of us, a long one, and you need players to impact.
"He did that last year when he started and when he was a sub, and he has given us a headache for next weekend."
