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

Follow all the action from Emirates Stadium

(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

Arteta might be a tad restless on the bench. Although his side have dominated the game, the result is not in hand yet. The Gunners have not been clinical tonight.

31 August 2022 20:56

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Yellow Card John McGinn

31 August 2022 20:55

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 20:52

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Jesus tries to latch onto a deflected cross from Odegaard from the left flank, but he lifts his effort high and away from goal.

31 August 2022 20:52

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Substitution Benjamin William White Takehiro Tomiyasu

31 August 2022 20:51

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Martinelli bundles Cash off the ball down the left flank and tries to force a cross to the near post, but Konsa is on the spot to deflect it behind for a corner.

31 August 2022 20:50

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Bailey makes a good run down the right flank and tries to send a cross-field pass towards Digne on the charge, but Odegaard gets back to clear the danger for the hosts.

31 August 2022 20:49

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 20:48

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches when leading at half-time (W10, D0) dating back to 1st January 2022 against Manchester City (L1-2).

31 August 2022 20:46

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Jesus and Martinez have a coming together in the box. The referee speaks to both players, but keeps his cards in his pocket.

31 August 2022 20:45