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

Odegaard swings the resulting free-kick into the box, but Martinez commits early and punches it away from danger.

31 August 2022 20:12

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Kamara catches Jesus with a late challenge and hands Arsenal a free-kick in a useful position.

31 August 2022 20:11

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Mings puts Martinez under pressure with a backpass as Saka closes down the Villa keeper. Martinez backheels the ball out of play for an Arsenal corner, much to the delight of the home fans.

31 August 2022 20:10

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

There has been acres of space for the home side down both flanks tonight. Gerrard has not been able to find a way to stop their rhythm since Odegaard has taken control of the middle of the park.

31 August 2022 20:10

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 20:09

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Yellow Card Martin Ødegaard

31 August 2022 20:08

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Arsenal deserve their lead for their performance so far tonight. The Gunners have been free-flowing in the final third and just needed the clinical edge of Jesus to get them on the scoresheet.

31 August 2022 20:05

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Jesus is yet to lose a single Premier League match in which he's found the net (48 - W45 D3 before tonight).

31 August 2022 20:05

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

31 August 2022 20:01

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Goal Gabriel Fernando de Jesus

31 August 2022 20:00