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Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction

Follow all the action from Emirates Stadium

Sports Staff
Wednesday 31 August 2022 22:29 BST
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(Action Images via Reuters)

Arsenal maintain their perfect start after beating Aston Villa in a fiery clash at the Emirates Stadium. As the Gunners make it five from five, the question is not how long they can keep this up but how long Steven Gerrard can keep his job.

Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow has invested a lot of trust and club money into his former Liverpool star’s project, and he is likely to get games after Saturday’s daunting home game against Manchester City, but the wonder is whether they will all be overtaken by events. Or, rather, defeats.

Here, at a buoyant Arsenal stadium, it was as if Villa were almost powerless to stop Mikel Arteta’s effervescent side claiming 2-1 win. There was barely a challenge for Gabriel Martinelli’s winning goal. Gerrard’s approach, in stark contrast to Arsenal’s run, seems unsustainable.

So, while Villa look to the weekend with trepidation, Arsenal look to it with hope. They have positive momentum, confidence and an edge, all of which form the ideal mentality to be going to Manchester United in search of the sort of victory that would really serve as a statement.

Relive the action from Arsenal’s victory over Aston Villa:

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 21:05

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Assist Bukayo Ayoyinka Saka

31 August 2022 21:04

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Goal Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva

31 August 2022 21:04

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 21:03

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

SAVE! Bailey bursts down the right flank and cuts inside to shoot on his left foot. He powers his effort towards goal, forcing Ramsdale into a sharp stop to turn it over the bar.

31 August 2022 21:02

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 21:02

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Goal Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo

31 August 2022 21:01

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 21:01

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Substitution John McGinn Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo

31 August 2022 21:00

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Saka does well in the final third, but he dwells a second too long on the ball. He fails to fire at goal and his offload to Jesus catches the Brazilian in a crowd where he loses possession.

31 August 2022 20:58

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