Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike earned Arsenal a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, maintaining the champions’ perfect start to the Premier League season. Saka’s close-range finish shortly after the hour mark proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter in which Villa threatened at times but struggled to test Arsenal goalkeeper […]
Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike earned Arsenal a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, maintaining the champions’ perfect start to the Premier League season.
Saka’s close-range finish shortly after the hour mark proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter in which Villa threatened at times but struggled to test Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The victory gives Arsenal two wins from two matches and underlines their early title credentials, while Villa are still searching for their first points of the campaign.
The hosts started brightly, with captain John McGinn curling an effort over before Emiliano Buendia came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when his 22-yard strike crashed against the crossbar.
Arsenal gradually assumed control of possession but found it difficult to penetrate a disciplined Villa defence, with neither side managing a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Villa resumed the second half strongly, with Ian Maatsen firing another effort wide, but the momentum soon shifted towards the visitors.
Arsenal appeared to have been awarded a penalty in the 54th minute when Maatsen brought down Saka inside the area, prompting referee Jarred Gillett to point to the spot after deliberation.
However, a VAR review showed that the contact had occurred outside the box, and the decision was overturned.
Martin Ødegaard narrowly missed with the resulting free-kick, but Arsenal continued to press and were rewarded moments later.
Half-time substitute Eberechi Eze combined with Riccardo Calafiori, who delivered the ball across the face of goal for Saka to finish from close range and send the travelling Arsenal supporters into celebration.
Villa responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Arsenal’s defensive organisation frustrated the hosts.
Nicolas Jackson, making his first start for Villa following his move from Chelsea, created an opening for McGinn, but the Scotland midfielder was unable to get his feet sorted before Matty Cash’s follow-up effort was blocked.
Villa appealed unsuccessfully for another penalty when Maatsen went down inside the Arsenal box, but Gillett waved away the claims and VAR did not intervene.
Arsenal threatened on the counter as Villa committed more players forward, with Kai Havertz forcing a save from debutant goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Despite late pressure from the hosts, Arsenal remained composed and managed the closing stages effectively to secure another valuable three points.
The defeat leaves Villa without a win after their opening two matches, while Arsenal return home with maximum points and growing confidence as they continue their title defence.
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