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

SAVE! Odegaard takes on the strike from the resulting free-kick and angles his effort towards the top-right corner, but Martinez turns it behind.

31 August 2022 20:43

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 20:43

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Mings is on the spot for Villa at the back again as he is first out to charge down a strike from Saka on the edge of the box.

31 August 2022 20:42

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Yellow Card Ezri Konsa Ngoyo

31 August 2022 20:41

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Mings has to be alert in the box to knock Martinelli's chip towards Jesus in the box behind for a corner.

31 August 2022 20:39

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Xhaka competes with Kamara to knock the ball to Jesus, but he catches the Villa midfielder on the boot in the process and gives away a free-kick.

31 August 2022 20:38

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Saliba pulls back Watkins in the Arsenal half and goes into the book.

31 August 2022 20:36

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

We're back under way at the Emirates Stadium.

31 August 2022 20:35

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 20:34

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 20:32