Arsenal secured a fine win against Aston Villa away from home after an instant impact from substitute Leandro Trossard who broke the deadlock before getting involved in the build-up to Thomas Partey’s goal.

The teams played out a frustrating first half at Villa Park that was beset with stoppages and breaks of play that favoured the home side and stopped Mikel Arteta’s men finding any rhythm. The Gunners dominated the early stages and Bukayo Saka was denied by Emi Martinez touching his shot wide of the far post.

Villa created two huge opportunities and both came to Ollie Watkins. The first saw him turn the ball wide after Morgan Rogers picks him out in the box and the second saw the striker’s headed effort palmed away by a scrambling David Raya in what could have been the moment of the game.

Trossard was then brought on and arrived at the right time to turn a loose ball home from inside the box. He then drove Arsenal up the pitch and found Saka at the far post. Saka rolled a pass back to Partey whose shot from range beat Martinez to give the Gunners a cushion.

Arsenal take the points and continue their winning runs.

Relive the action from today’s Premier League encounter below:

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

• Arsenal pass Aston Villa test and prove why they’re Manchester City’s main title rivals

• Aston Villa beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the Premier League

• 77’ GOAL! - Partey’s shot from range doubles Arsenal’s lead (AVL 0-2 ARS)

• 67’ GOAL! - Trossard comes off the bench and scores (AVL 0-1 ARS)

• 54’ SAVE! - Raya denies Watkins after Onana hits crossbar (AVL 0-0 ARS)

• 39’ CLOSE! - Havertz turns Martinelli’s pass wide of the target (AVL 0-0 ARS)

• 24’ MISS! - Huge moment for Watkins but he hooks a shot wide (AVL 0-0 ARS)

• 15’ SAVE! - Martinez tips Saka’s shot wide of goal (AVL 0-0 ARS)

Aston Villa FC 0 - 2 Arsenal FC

Arsenal pass Aston Villa test and prove why they’re Manchester City’s main title rivals

20:03 , Mike Jones

Two games are no barometer of a team’s title chances but the early psychological signs are on point for Arsenal as they ended their Aston Villa hoodoo with a result the Gunners of a few years ago could not have hoped to claim.

Under a manager desperate to get one over the only club he hasn’t excelled at, Villa had the chances to make it three consecutive victories over the Gunners, to once again do damage to a title challenge when one defeat can be the difference between a first league title in 20 years and further frustration.

Arsenal pass Villa test and prove why they’re Man City’s main title rivals

FT Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

20:00 , Mike Jones

And Thomas Partey’s goal which sealed the victory for Arsenal:

FT Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:56 , Mike Jones

Here is Leandro Trossard’s first touch, and Arsenal’s opening goal:

FT Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:53 , Mike Jones

Two games into the season and Arsenal have scored four goals, conceding none.

It’s the defence that will win them the Premier League this season with Mikel Arteta determined to keep as many clean sheets as possible.

So far so good for the Gunners.

FT Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:49 , Mike Jones

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya speaking to Sky Sports: “Everyone is a hero because we work together. It’s not just me saving the ball. It was a crucial moment in the game where it was 0-0 and they had chances and I was there to save Ollie’s [Watkins] header.

“I think of what I remember, it’s a shot from outside the box. I’m on the floor so I try to get up and I can’t reach it. I just see Ollie going in there so I react as quickly as possible I put my hand there and there’s no one there to get the ball.

“It’s just a repetition of things. You do drills and have to save one ball and get up to save another. This time it paid off. This is a reaction one, I don’t think it’s my best save.

“I try to help the team as much as possible to win games.”

FT Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:42 , Mike Jones

Arsenal are up to third in the Premier League, level on points with Brighton and Manchester City. The champions are currently top due to goal difference after hammering Ipswich 4-1 earlier today.

FT Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:39 , Mike Jones

Arsenal lost both of their Premier League meetings with Aston Villa last season.

They are already three points better off this time around as Mikel Arteta and his team head over to applaud the jubilant away fans.

Full-time! Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:32 , Mike Jones

90+4 mins: No goals for Aston Villa and a tough loss. Arsenal’s two goals were moments of quality from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.

Aston Villa had their moments but Ollie Watkins twice missed brilliant chances in front of goal and the result swung the way of Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta will be pleased. His team didn’t reach their peak today but have come away from Villa Park with a fine victory and three points.

Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:28 , Mike Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at Villa Park.

Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:23 , Mike Jones

83 mins: Time is running out for Aston Villa to get themselves back into this game. Arsenal look more alive, more alert and more dangerous.

The fisr goal unlocked Bukayo Saka and he’s now becoming a nuisance for the hosts.

Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal

19:19 , Mike Jones

80 mins: 10 minutes to go at Villa Park and you feel as though the game has gone for the hosts. If they can get a goal back there is a chance but Arsenal have been clinical in this second half and Villa haven’t.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal (Partey, 77’)

19:16 , Mike Jones

77 mins: Another one!

After a fine run from Trossard who squares a pass across the box Saka has the ball again on the right wing and decides to play it inside for Thomas Partey.

Partet takes a touch then shoots. He drills it well as Martinez leaps across. The goalkeeper gets a hand to the ball but can’t keep it out and Arsenal’s lead is doubled.

Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal

19:15 , Mike Jones

76 mins: Odegaard wins a free kick off Tielemans and takes a couple more seconds out of the game. Unai Emery decides to make a couple of substitutions with Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley come on to replace Amadou Onana and Lucas Digne.

Will the subs have a similar impact to Leandro Trossard?

Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal

19:12 , Mike Jones

73 mins: Arsenal were fantastic at controlling games last season when they went in front. They had the best performing defence of the Premier League and will need to show why this evening.

Villa have upped the tempo but as is their way Arsenal are slowing things down when they have possession.

Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal

19:10 , Mike Jones

70 mins: What can Aston Villa muster now? They were playing well but that goal has changed the complexion of the match. The home side need to step through the gears now and force Arsenal to defend more.

The Gunners, despite that goal, aren’t playing to the best of their ability and they are there to be taken if Villa can improve themselves.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal (Trossard, 67’)

19:06 , Mike Jones

67 mins: Bang!

Leandro Trossard has only just come onto the pitch and his impact is immediate. Arsenal come down the right side of the pitch with Saka pulling the ball back from the byline.

It comes to Kai Havertz who gets tackled by Morgan Rogers.

The loose ball rolls to Trossard who drills it into the back of the net.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

19:05 , Mike Jones

66 mins: Close!

Lucas Digne swings a free kick into the penalty area from the left wing and picks out Ezri Konsa at the back post. Konsa rises above everyone and nods the ball across goal.

None of his teammates can get there though and the ball bounces safely out of play.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

19:03 , Mike Jones

63 mins: Chance!

Odegaard receives the ball on the edge of the box. He spins away from the nearest defender then slips Bukayo Saka in between the lines.

Saka collects the ball, then looks to shift it around Emi Martinez who makes himself wide and pushes the ball away from the winger.

The replays show Saka was probably offside but that was a moment for Arsenal to at least build some confidence by hitting the back of the net.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:58 , Mike Jones

60 mins: An hour played at Villa Park and things are starting to heat up. Martin Odegaard curls a shot into Martinez’s hands and the Villa goalkeeper thinks about a possible counter-attack before deciding against it.

Still, the deadlock is there to be broken.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:56 , Mike Jones

57 mins: Villa’s ascendancy continues as they win a corner. The ball is flung into the box towards Amadou Onana who meets it with a header that flies over the crossbar.

The home fans are singing and bouncing around now.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:53 , Mike Jones

54 mins: World class!

David Raya has just kept Arsenal in this game. Amadou Onana takes a shot from the edge of the box and a deflection bounces the ball onto the crossbar.

Raya leaps to touch it upwards and is on the deck as the ball rebounds back into play.

Ollie Watkins is there first and flings himself at the ball, nodding it towards goal only for Raya to leap up and palm it clear with one hand!

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:48 , Mike Jones

48 mins: Arsenal look to play out from the back again but the build-up is slow and without purpose. They end up flicking an aerial pass over the top and sending it straight through to Emi Martinez.

Second half! Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:44 , Mike Jones

Arsenal get the ball rolling for the second half. No more changes from either manager as the match resumes at Villa Park.

HT Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:40 , Mike Jones

Nothing to split the teams at the half-time interval. Which side will come out for the second half with more purpose and resolve? A win for both could be crucial even in these early stages of the season.

HT Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:37 , Mike Jones

Mikel Arteta provides update on talks over new Arsenal contract

Mikel Arteta has revealed talks over a new contract at Arsenal will take place after the transfer window shuts.

Arteta’s current deal at the Emirates expires next summer, but the 42-year-old promised back in July there would be no issues over him signing fresh terms.

No announcement has followed but the Spanish coach allayed any fears amongst supporters ahead of the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal contract situation

Half-time! Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:27 , Mike Jones

45+6 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half with neither team gaining the advantage. It’s been an evenly balanced affair with the clearest chance falling to Watkins.

All to play for in the second half.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:24 , Mike Jones

45+3 mins: Arsenal’s two centre-backs are really getting stuck in against Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers. They both look as though they’re in trouble but then come away with the ball and usually leave the strikers on the floor.

It’s a great battle developing between them all and brilliant to watch.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:21 , Mike Jones

45 mins: Six minutes off added time to play at the end of this first half. Can one of the teams get the opener and lead at the break?

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:19 , Mike Jones

42 mins: Bailey curls a shot at goal after Ollie Watkins is denied by one of Arsenal’s defenders. For a moment it looks as though Bailey’s effort has lobbed David Raya but the Arsenal goalkeeper jumps backwards and grabs the ball.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:15 , Mike Jones

39 mins: Close!

Arsenal work the ball well from one side to the other. They find Martinelli on the left wing and he dances into the box before drilling a low effort towards the near post.

Kai Havertz is there and gets to the ball first but he can only turn a first time shot wide of the woodwork.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:12 , Mike Jones

36 mins: This game has been awkward for both teams since the start. There’s been repeated fouls, free kicks, injuries, breaks in play. Nothing to get the match flowing.

That probably plays into Aston Villa’s hands as they’re the underdogs in this match and so far they’ve held their own admirably against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:09 , Mike Jones

33 mins: Villa win a free kick over on their left wing. Youri Tielemans whips the set piece into the penalty area but Declan Rice rises highest to win the ball.

Arsenal burst forward with Rice sending the ball to Havertz on the right. He’s onside as he delivers the cross into the box. Saka is the intended target but Leon Bailey gets ahead of him and manages to intercept the ball.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:06 , Mike Jones

30 mins: Arsenal are trying to slow down the game. Regain possession and build an attack after weathering Villa’s best period of the match so far.

There’s a tense battle developing in the middle of the pitch. Arsenal are trying to play through Villa, Villa trying to keep them quiet.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:04 , Mike Jones

27 mins: Watkins’ miss was unforgivable in truth. His manager, teammates and the fans will all be gutted about it but Villa have finally sparked into life.

If they can get the opener then all will be forgiven.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

18:01 , Mike Jones

24 mins: Chance!

Massive moment for Aston Villa. Gabriel is hurried by Leon Bailey who manages to poke the ball into the path of Morgan Rogers. Rogers carries the ball into the box then squares it to Ollie Watkins who is wide open.

All he needs to do is hit the target but the striker hooks his shot wide of the near post!

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:57 , Mike Jones

21 mins: Bailey is still being treated over on the right side of the pitch. Unai Emery looks concerned but his winger is jogging up and down the sidelines which is a good sign at least.

The match restarts with Arsenal picking up where they left off.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:56 , Mike Jones

18 mins: Matty Cash has gone off the pitch and has been replaced with Kosta Nedeljkovic. Leon Bailey looks in trouble too. He tries to weave his way into the box from the right wing after receiving the pass from Amadou Onana.

As he turns his back to goal, he goes to ground and seems in a bad way.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:51 , Mike Jones

15 mins: Save!

Ben White makes a run into the box on the overlap and Martin Odegaard looks for him. Bukayo Saka intercepts the ball and check sto the left before drilling a shot at goal.

Emi Martinez drops to the right and pushes the ball wide of the target.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:48 , Mike Jones

12 mins: Arsenal have been the team on the front foot with a high aggressive press. Villa have been forced to go long numerous times already which is hindering their desire to keep possession.

Martinelli puts a cross into the box from the left and lifts it over to Saka. He’s up against Matty Cash who goes to ground after that attack comes to an end.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:43 , Mike Jones

9 mins: Havertz releases Gabriel Martinelli up the pitch from deep inside his own box. The winger carries the ball to the edge of the box before squaring it over to Saka.

Saka’s cross is flapped away by Martinez and the ball drops to Rice. Rice shoots but fizzes his strike straight at the goalkeeper who clings onto the ball.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:42 , Mike Jones

6 mins: Saka brings the ball down the wing and flicks a pass inside to Martin Odegaard. Odegaard’s fancy footwork sees him skip to the edge of the box before looking for Kai Havertz and Declan Rice making runs into the left side.

Matty Cash intercepts and sends the ball forward to Morgan Rogers. Rogers tries to spin around the nearest defender but loses the ball and the attempted counter-attack breaks down.

Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:39 , Mike Jones

3 mins: Villa’s formation seems fluid between a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 with Leon Bailey doing the work of running between the lines depending on when and how forceful Villa want to press.

Arsenal attempt to pass the ball through midfield with an inward stepping Timber slotting one over to the right wing. Bukayo Saka is the target but Lucas Digne intercepts and takes over.

Kick off! Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal

17:36 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa, finally, get the ball rolling at Villa Park. They work it back to Emi Martinez who sweeps a long ball over to the right side of the pitch.

Jurrien Timber gets his first involvement by clearing the ball away but Villa recover possession and look forward again.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

17:30 , Mike Jones

There’s a slight delay as the communications between the referee and the fourth officials were down. The players now leave the tunnel and head out onto the pitch.

This is another fascinating match-up which could go either way. Aston Villa have the home advantage and could spring a surprise on the Gunners.

Kick off is up next...

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

17:25 , Mike Jones

With both of these two teams finishing inside the top four last season this is an early clash of teams wanting to be top of the table. Both earned opening day victories last week and will want to keep that momentum going.

It’s Villa’s first home game of the year, can they earn a win against the Gunners?

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

17:20 , Mike Jones

Unai Emery has lost only one of his seven matches as a manager versus Arsenal in all competitions, Villa’s 4-2 Premier League home defeat in February 2023 when the Gunners scored twice in stoppage time.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

17:15 , Mike Jones

Morgan Rogers has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances at Villa Park.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

17:10 , Mike Jones

Kai Havertz has an unrivalled 17 Premier League goal involvements since mid-February, with 10 goals and seven assists in 15 appearances.

The German is yet to score or set up a goal in seven games against Aston Villa, the most he has faced an opponent without doing so.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

17:05 , Mike Jones

Ollie Watkins has gone six Premier League appearances without a goal since he scored in a 2-0 win at Arsenal on 14 April. He has five career league goals against the Gunners.

It doesn’t matter that it’s early – Arsenal face major test in a title fight of tiny margins

17:00 , Mike Jones

Both of these managers have done very good jobs, both of these clubs have made sizeable strides. One of them is nonetheless likely about to get criticised and told they need to do more in the next week or risk missing out on their objectives. And it almost doesn’t matter which coach it’s aimed at.

Such is the relentless, never-stand-still nature of the Premier League and the focus point of most outsider commentators, who see transfer necessities in draws and trophy pushes in victories, even two weeks into the season.

It doesn’t matter that it’s early – Arsenal have a title fight of tiny margins

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

16:55 , Mike Jones

The Gunners have won 17 of their 19 top-flight matches in 2024, with their only defeat coming at home to Aston Villa in April. They can equal the record of 18 league wins from the first 20 matches of a calendar year, set by Liverpool in 1982 and matched by Manchester City in both 2019 and 2021.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

16:50 , Mike Jones

Arsenal have won eight of their nine Premier League away games so far in 2024, drawing the other, scoring 28 goals and keeping seven clean sheets. It is their longest unbeaten away streak since a run of 12 in 2016 under Arsene Wenger.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

16:45 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa are looking to win their opening two Premier League matches of a season for a fourth time, having done so in 1995-96, 1999-00 and 2020-21.

They have won their opening home league fixture in each of the past four seasons – and began 2023-24 with eight straight top-flight victories at Villa Park.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

16:40 , Mike Jones

Arsenal have won 14 Premier League games at Villa Park, their joint most at an away venue along with Selhurst Park.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

16:35 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa did the double over Arsenal last season, accounting for 40% of the Gunners’ Premier League defeats in 2023-24.

Villa have won five of the past nine Premier League meetings, keeping a clean sheet each time. It’s as many victories as they’d managed in their previous 46 attempts against Arsenal.

Gabriel Jesus not on the bench

16:30 , Mike Jones

Neither Fabio Vieira nor Gabriel Jesus are on the bench for Arsenal. Vieira is being rumoured with a move to Porto so as the transfer window comes to a close Arsenal are taking no chances with the midfielder.

Gabriel Jesus meanwhile seems to have picked up an injury (rumoured to be with his groin) and will play no part in today’s proceedings.

Arsenal set to send Fabio Vieira back to Porto?

16:25 , Mike Jones

Arsenal could lose Fabio Vieira as they move closer to securing Mikel Merino in a midfield shuffle.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the Gunners will send Vieira to Porto on loan.

There will be no buy option, yet the Portuguese club will cover Vieira’s salary for the season.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal team changes

16:20 , Mike Jones

Unai Emery makes no changes to his Aston Villa side backing the team who defeated West Ham last time out to perform well against Arsenal too.

Mikel Arteta meanwhile replaces Oleksandr Zinchenko with Jurrien Timber at left-back.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal line-ups

16:16 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Bailey; Watkins

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

Aston Villa v Arsenal early team news

16:10 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana was the only one of Villa’s eight summer signings to start against West Ham last weekend, when full-backs Ian Maatsen and Kosta Nedeljkovic made their club debuts as late substitutes.

Arsenal don’t have any fresh fitness concerns though Mikel Arteta is unsure whether Jurrien Timber is ready to start as the club carefully manage his comeback from long-term injury.

Emery on Martinez contract extension

16:05 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has signed an extension to his existing contract and will now be at the midlands club until 2029.

Here’s what Unai Emery had to say about working with the Argentinian in the future: “We are very happy because Emiliano Martínez is very important. He’s involved completely in this project.

“When I arrived here, I knew him before because we were working in Arsenal together. I knew his mentality and even now it’s stronger than before because he’s achieving individual objectives with his national team and here with Aston Villa.

“His extension is fantastic for us and very good for every supporter of Aston Villa, we can be proud of him.”

Unai Emery on facing Arsenal

15:40 , Jack Rathborn

“We are excited, we are motivated, but we have to show again our capacity,” says Unai Emery.

“If we are able to repeat with the different players, with the different ways, one year more here how we can compete, how we can face teams like Arsenal.

“The challenge is motivating for us and our supporters to face them.”

Aston Villa vs Arsenal team news

15:30 , Jack Rathborn

Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara remain as long-term absentees for Villa, with Robin Olsen also a major doubt.

Jhon Duran will likely have to settle for a place on the bench despite his winner against West Ham, though Jacob Ramsey and Ian Maatsen will hope that their cameos have shown Unai Emery that they are deserving of a place in the starting line-up.

For Arsenal, Declan Rice limped off in the last minutes of the win over Wolves, though reports suggesting that the midfielder is fine – Arteta suggested it was cramp – and will be in line to start. Tomiyasu, Vieira and Tierney remain injured while Eddie Nketiah will likely sit out amid reports of a move to Nottingham Forest.

Bukayo Saka was also seen limping at times during the match, and was eventually replaced by Leandro Trossard after scoring, but he should be fine to start against Villa.

Jurrien Timber replaced Zinchenko at the weekend, and was lively in his cameo, and may have done enough to warrant a place in the starting eleven. Thomas Partey will be fighting Jorginho for a starting berth, with Rice and Odegaard guaranteed to start in midfield.

The front three will likely stay the same as it was against Wolves, with neither Jesus or Trossard doing enough during their cameos to suggest they should start.

Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s Aston Villa test

15:20 , Jack Rathborn

“It’s one of the toughest places to go for sure,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “We know that, we’ve prepared really well to understand what we have to do to go there and win the game.

“They dominate every aspect of the game, when you give them space to run they are phenomenal, when there is no space and they have to find it they can do that. In any restarts or set-pieces, they are at it, and that’s why they did what they did.

“They scored and we didn’t, it’s very simple. In two games we had an enormous amount of chances to do that, and that was the big difference. There were other details for sure which we have analysed, and we will have to do better tomorrow because they are a really good side with a good coach.

“What Unai [Emery] and Julen [Lopategui] did for us [Basque managers] was set the standard so high, they won a lot. The way they coach their teams, the way they represented their clubs was at the highest level, and that gave a platform for the younger ones like myself, like Xabi [Alonso], like Andoni [Iraola] to earn that curiosity that there are coaches from here, so we need to be grateful to those two.”

Mikel Arteta compares Bukayo Saka to Lionel Messi after Arsenal beat Wolves: ‘You can’t stop him’

15:10 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta praised an “unbelievable” contribution from Bukayo Saka after the winger fired in Arsenal’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Wolves at the Emirates to kick off their Premier League campaign.

The Gunners are looking to end a 21-year wait for the title, having finished second to Manchester City in each of the last two seasons, missing out by two points in May despite winning 16 of their final 18 games.

And they got off to an ideal start in north London against Gary O’Neil’s side when Kai Havertz dashed towards the six-yard box to meet Saka’s cross in the 25th minute, squeezing between goalkeeper Jose Sa and defender Yerson Mosquera and heading his side into a deserved lead following early pressure.

Mikel Arteta compares Bukayo Saka to Lionel Messi: ‘You can’t stop him’

Kai Havertz talks up Bukayo Saka after Arsenal start season with victory

15:00 , Jack Rathborn

Kai Havertz praised Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka’s “perfect” contribution after the winger scored and assisted to help his side to a 2-0 opening-day Premier League win against Wolves.

Saka’s cross from the right in the 25th minute set up Havertz to head in the Gunners’ first goal of the new season and hand them an ideal start at the Emirates Stadium as they seek to end a 21-year wait for the title.

Gary O’Neil’s side gave their hosts some nervous moments thereafter and Arsenal twice had goalkeeper David Raya to thank for preserving their lead, most spectacularly after he pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to deny debutant striker Jorgen Strand Larsen midway through the first half.

The win was sealed 16 minutes from time when Saka’s left-footed drive inside the near post capped a fine individual display.

Kai Havertz talks up Bukayo Saka after Arsenal start season with victory

Wolves make loan bid for Arsenal’s England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale

14:50 , Jack Rathborn

Wolves have made an offer to sign Arsenal’s England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan.

The PA news agency understands the bid, submitted on Monday, also includes an option to buy at the end of the campaign.

Ramsdale fell out of favour last season as manager Mikel Arteta promoted David Raya to number one and he made just 11 appearances, only two of which came after the turn of the year.

Despite his lack of activity the 26-year-old, whose contract has two years to run, was still included in England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Before that tournament Ramsdale told talkSPORT: “No footballer wants to not play. I’ve had a tough year personally not playing and I never want to do that again.”

Arsenal might have to wait as they target Nico Williams

14:40 , Jack Rathborn

Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is Arsenal’s preferred target for a wide player in the last week of the window, although there is an acceptance they may have to wait for a major move.

Mikel Arteta is now keen to increase the options in his forward line, with the London club set to secure midfielder Mikel Merino’s move from Real Sociedad. One issue influencing recruitment, however, is Arsenal effectively operating off a different budget depending if a player is a named target or not.

It isn’t quite a case of the club just being willing to pay a certain amount for a necessary position. Arsenal are willing to pay what it takes for those specific named targets they feel would be certain starters, as could be seen with Declan Rice last summer.

Arsenal might have to wait as they target Nico Williams

Arsenal train ahead of trip to Aston Villa

14:30 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal contract situation: ‘We are on it’

14:20 , Jack Rathborn

Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal fans not to panic about his contract with talks set to get under way once the summer transfer window shuts.

Arteta has entered the final 12 months of his deal at the Emirates and while he insisted last month fresh terms would not be an issue, no announcement has been forthcoming.

Ahead of facing predecessor Unai Emery on Saturday night, the Gunners boss attempted to allay any fears amongst supporters.

Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal contract situation

It doesn’t matter that it’s early – Arsenal face major test in a title fight of tiny margins

14:10 , Jack Rathborn

Both of these managers have done very good jobs, both of these clubs have made sizeable strides. One of them is nonetheless likely about to get criticised and told they need to do more in the next week or risk missing out on their objectives. And it almost doesn’t matter which coach it’s aimed at.

Such is the relentless, never-stand-still nature of the Premier League and the focus point of most outsider commentators, who see transfer necessities in draws and trophy pushes in victories, even two weeks into the season.

Defeat? That can mean anything, from a side going stale to a manager falling short. But both of these clubs will sidestep those hot takes, of course. Regardless of a single result in isolation, both will feel they are prepared and on course for their respective seasonal objectives – it’s just that Arsenal have far less margin for error. And that makes this trip to Villa Park a particularly noteworthy one, with the Gunners up against their former boss Unai Emery, and their former goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

It doesn’t matter that it’s early – Arsenal have a title fight of tiny margins

Welcome!

Friday 23 August 2024 15:21 , Alex Pattle

Hello, and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Aston Villa vs Arsenal in the Premier League!

The Gunners are aiming to build on a strong start to their title challenge, having beaten Wolves 2-0 at home on the season’s opening weekend. That victory came courtesy of goals from Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, who provided the assist for Saka’s second-half strike after nodding home inside the first half-hour.

Aston Villa also enter this fixture on the back of a win in gameweek one, however. Emery’s side came out on top against West Ham at London Stadium, as Amadou Onana struck early and Jhon Duran ensured a 2-1 victory.

For Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, almost every game is a must-win this season, after their last two campaigns saw them challenge Manchester City valiantly but come up short both times. They could, therefore, be in for a nervy afternoon at Villa Park, as play a team that beat them twice last season – en route to securing Champions League football, no less. Emery and co prevailed 2-0 away and 1-0 at home, and they will believe they can repeat the trick here.

Follow live as we build up to kick-off at 5.30pm BST.