Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Player ratings as Emery haunts Gunners

Arsenal fell flat on their face at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon as Aston Villa put a huge dent in their Premier League title hopes by walking away with a 2-0 victory.

The Gunners were handed a huge boost in the title race before kick-off as Crystal Palace held on for a 1-0 win at Anfield. This was a huge opportunity to open-up a three-point gap over Jurgen Klopp's side, but the Villans certainly weren't going to make it easy for the hosts with Unai Emery occupying the away dugout.

Arsenal were limited to half-chances for much of the first half, while Villa's success - in comparison to most teams - at bypassing the press facilitated an end-to-end contest in which the hosts had far less control than usual.

Two huge chances arrived at both ends within the space of a minute. After Ollie Watkins hit the inside of the post, Leandro Trossard was expertly denied by Emi Martinez.

The Emirates faithful would've plead for a fast second-half start to get rid of any angst, but it was Villa who came out of the break stronger. They continued to play through Arsenal's press, and they came ever so close to taking the lead through Youri Tielemans. The Belgian's audacious effort crashed off the bar and post after Oleksandr Zinchenko was dispossessed.

Serious concern permeated through N5 as the second half transpired, with Villa taking full control. The Gunners were dire, and they were eventually punished in the final ten minutes when Leon Bailey tapped home at the back post and Ollie Watkins finished off a swift counter to hand Emery's men a 2-0 lead.

And that, folks, was all she wrote. Good ebening, Mikel.

Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from a dismal afternoon.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 5.5/10 - No clean sheet for Raya on this occasion, although he was not to blame for Arsenal's flat performance.

Ben White (RB) - 5.5/10 - Met his match against Nicolo Zaniolo, who often got the better of White physically to get Villa up the pitch. Picked up a booking in the first-half. too.

William Saliba (CB) - 6/10 - Saliba did pretty well, especially when he was tested in behind. The Frenchman, however, was part of an unsure defensive performance.

Gabriel (CB) - 5.5/10 - Usually so dominant duels. Gabriel was late and rash on occasions. Made a couple of big interventions, but another messy showing.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - 3.5/10 - Zinchenko loves a brain fade or two, and they cost Arsenal in this one. The full-back started well enough - in possession - but his second-half showing was pretty dire. Villa had plenty of joy when Zinchenko was in and around the ball. Where was he for the goal?

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