Arsenal player ratings vs Aston Villa: Saka secures huge 1-0 win

Arsenal bounced right back from midweek and took another huge stride towards the top four as a first half goal from Bukayo Saka was enough to secure a 1-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta’s side were facing arguably their toughest test of the season in the division with Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off being their third game in six days, and coming just 63 hours after the side kicked off in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.

Expecting changes to the side on account of the short turnover time, what wasn’t expected that was both Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale would miss out through injury.

That meant Emile Smith Rowe took his place out on the left, with Bernd Leno starting in goal for his first league appearance August.

Arsenal player ratings vs Aston Villa as Bukayo Saka’s first half goal secures a crucial 1-0 win in the Premier League top four hunt

It was a commanding start from Arsenal who nearly took the lead inside the opening few minutes when some clever build-up play ended with Emile Smith Rowe bending an effort just over the bar.

Maintaining their foothold on the match with a professional display, all that was needed from the visitors was a goal. That would come via the left boot of Saka, who fired a fine half volley low beyond Emiliano Martinez.

Watkins hit the post for Villa as the hosts started to up the tempo, while Lacazette also saw a shot blocked when he should have fed the onrushing Odegaard to his right.

It ended up being far tighter than desired as Holding even came on to sit in a back five, but Arsenal were well worth the three points as they take another huge step towards the Premier League top four.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – 7/10 – Well done, Bernd. It is not easy to come in for Ramsdale at any time, let alone when your last Premier league outing was way back in August. Was clean on deliveries and vocal throughout. His kicking wasn’t great, at all, but he did the important parts well.

Cedric Soares (RB) – 8/10 – Tasked with dealing with Emi Buendia down that side it was a game for focus for Cedric as he needed to stay vigilant for the long balls Villa sought to hit down the channels. He defended his right side expertly, and showed neat technical ability in tight spaces.

Benjamin White (CB) – 9/10 – Villa were constantly looking for the ball in behind to Watkins given Arsenal stifled their build-up play, and that left White having a lot to aerial and in the duels. All afternoon to stood firm to the challenge and kept Watkins in check.

Just before the international break he didn’t put a foot wrong.

Gabriel (CB) – 8/10 – A solid game for Gabriel on the ball, who played down the line well and was tidy with all aspects of his game, whether holding the line or dropping off to cover spaces. In the air let nothing pass, either.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 8/10 – Matty Cash was kept pinned back well by Smith Rowe and Tierney, who kept up high to limit Villa’s out ball.

There wasn’t as much bombing forward from him but he fed the ball down the line well and his play in the triangles was neat and tidy, but it was his last ditch moments, like headers in the box, that were most important. Some huge interventions.

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