Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Bukayo Saka goal seals win
Follow for live reaction as Arsenal neat Aston Villa in the Premier League to strengthen their top-four claim
Arsenal kept their top-four bid on track with a comfortable 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League. The Gunners saw their winning run come to an end with defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates in midweek and faced a short turnaround ahead of a potentially tricky trip to Villa Park, but they make simple work of the task at hand.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had said the scheduling of his side’s meeting with Villa was “not fair” but victory now puts pressure on top-four rivals Manchester United, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur and sees the Gunners strengthen their Champions League qualification hopes ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures.
Aston Villa saw a run of three straight victories under Steven Gerrard come to an end at West Ham last Sunday, as Andriy Yarmolenko helped seal an emotional win for the Hammers. The form of Philippe Coutinho has helped take Villa into the top half of the table and Gerrard’s side hoped to get back to winning ways in front of their own fans, but it wasn’t to be.
Follow live reaction from Aston Villa vs Arsenal in the Premier League’s early fixture, below:
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
2 min: John McGinn tries a chipped pass through to Philippe Coutinho but it’s a little overhit. A nice sunny day in Birmingham and perfect conditions for a game of football.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Just a few minutes until kick-off at Villa Park, where the players are making their way out on to the pitch. I feel this could be a very tight game between two well-organised teams in good form.
Steven Gerrard speaks
“You’re always striving to consistency. We had three wins, then played OK against West Ham but we conceded two sloppy goals.”
On Bukayo Saka vs Ashley Young: “It will be a good battle. Ashley’s got experience, Saka’s big threat with his pace, but they’ve got good players all over the pitch.”
Mikel Arteta speaks
“We are trying to maintain a high performance and improve, especially how we defend the box.”
On team news: “[Ramsdale] has a muscle injury so he willl be out for a few weeks. [Martinelli] has been sick the last few days.”
On threat of Countinho: “They have many good players but since Philippe joined the club he’s prided creatively and goal threat, so it’s something to bear in mind.”
Jacob Ramsey is ‘the real deal'
The BT Sport pundits have been raving about Villa’s 20-year-old midfield talent Jacob Ramsey.
Joe Cole: “He breaks the lines so well, he’s athletic. He’s burst on to the scene, almost like this kept secret. He’s a complete package very much in his manager’s mould.”
Martin Keown: “I think he’s the real deal.”
Gabriel Agbonlahor: “The scary thing is he’s got a younger brother in the academy who’s supposed be just as good!”
Emile Smith Rowe: ‘We’re ready for Villa’
Emile Smith Rowe is back in the Arsenal team and he’s feeling confident about the test ahead:
Arsenal offer support to victim of racial abuse
Arsenal have offered their support to a season-ticket holder who was the victim of racial abuse and a physical attack during Wednesday’s home match with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
The details of the fan subjected to this attack at half-time of the fixture have been given to the Metropolitan Police and the club has urged witnesses to get in touch with any information.
An official club statement on Saturday read: “We have made contact with a season ticket holder, who has confirmed that during half time of the match against Liverpool on Wednesday, March 16, he was the victim of racial abuse and a physical attack on his cultural identity.
“The details given by our supporter have been passed onto the Metropolitan Police and we are appealing for any witnesses who were in and around the toilet facilities in blocks 100 - 101 in the North Bank Upper Tier at half time last Wednesday.
“If you witnessed the incident, or have any information which may help us identify the culprit of this shameful act, please contact us on 020 7619 5000.”
Arsenal, who lost the Premier League fixture 2-0, reiterated the club’s stance against racism and continue to support the victim.
The statement added: “Arsenal is a home for everyone and we take all forms of discriminatory abuse and violence extremely seriously. We will not stand for this kind of behaviour.
“We will continue to remain in contact and offer support to our fan who was the victim of this appalling incident.” PA
Aston Villa team news
As expected, Ashley Young comes in at left-back for Steven Gerrard’s side, replacing the injured Lucas Digne. Calum Chambers has to settle for a place on the bench against his former side with Ezri Konsa parterning captain Tyrone Mings. Emi Buendia starts in an attacking role alongside Ollie Watkins, with Danny Ings on the bench.
Arsenal team news
So Aaron Ramsdale misses out with a hip injury, paving the way for Bernd Leno to make his first league start since the Gunners lost 5-0 to Manchester City way back in August. Emile Smith Rowe returns to the starting XI, replacing the unwell Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
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