BIRMINGHAM, England,- Arsenal secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, with second-half goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey continuing their perfect start to the Premier League season under Mikel Arteta.
After Villa completed a double over Arsenal last season, contributing to the Gunners’ eventual failure to clinch the title, they came into this match hoping to extend their winning streak against the London club. The home side had several opportunities, with striker Ollie Watkins missing two clear chances that could have put them ahead.
Despite Villa’s early pressure, Arsenal weathered the storm. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when substitute Trossard scored with his first touch, putting the Gunners ahead. Ten minutes later, Partey doubled the lead, ensuring all three points for Arsenal.
As Villa fans began to exit Villa Park, ruing their missed opportunities, the traveling Arsenal supporters celebrated their team’s second win in as many games, reinforcing hopes of a serious title challenge this season.
“I am very happy,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “This is a really tough place to come, with a great atmosphere and a strong team. But we found a way to win, and the team showed a lot of personality, understanding the game better as it progressed.”
Villa had proven to be a bogey team for Arsenal last season, accounting for 40% of the Gunners’ Premier League defeats. They also entered Saturday’s match as the only side to beat Arsenal in 2024. However, Arsenal’s dominance on the road this year has been undeniable, with eight wins in their last nine away games, scoring 28 goals, conceding only three, and keeping seven clean sheets.
Arsenal started strongly at Villa Park, with Bukayo Saka testing Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez early on. Villa responded well and should have taken the lead in the 24th minute, but Watkins missed a golden opportunity with the goal at his mercy.
Watkins squandered another chance early in the second half, heading too close to Arsenal keeper David Raya after Amadou Onana’s shot rebounded off the crossbar.
Arsenal, in pursuit of their first league title in 20 years, capitalized on their chances when they arrived. Trossard’s goal, followed by Partey’s less emphatic but equally crucial second, ended Villa’s recent dominance over the Gunners and ensured Arsenal’s best start to a top-flight campaign since the 1971-72 season.
Villa manager Unai Emery acknowledged Arsenal’s quality, saying, “You have to accept Arsenal are more experienced, more mature. They have been very competitive in the Premier League, contenders for the top four, and even to win the league. Today was a test for us to understand who we are.”
Source: Reuters