Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Leandro Trossard inspires Gunners to win
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: Trossard came off the bench to score before Thomas Partey added a second
Arsenal secured a fine win against Aston Villa away from home after an instant impact from substitute Leandro Trossard who broke the deadlock before getting involved in the build-up to Thomas Partey’s goal.
The teams played out a frustrating first half at Villa Park that was beset with stoppages and breaks of play that favoured the home side and stopped Mikel Arteta’s men finding any rhythm. The Gunners dominated the early stages and Bukayo Saka was denied by Emi Martinez touching his shot wide of the far post.
Villa created two huge opportunities and both came to Ollie Watkins. The first saw him turn the ball wide after Morgan Rogers picks him out in the box and the second saw the striker’s headed effort palmed away by a scrambling David Raya in what could have been the moment of the game.
Trossard was then brought on and arrived at the right time to turn a loose ball home from inside the box. He then drove Arsenal up the pitch and found Saka at the far post. Saka rolled a pass back to Partey whose shot from range beat Martinez to give the Gunners a cushion.
Arsenal take the points and continue their winning runs.
Relive the action from today’s Premier League encounter below:
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
36 mins: This game has been awkward for both teams since the start. There’s been repeated fouls, free kicks, injuries, breaks in play. Nothing to get the match flowing.
That probably plays into Aston Villa’s hands as they’re the underdogs in this match and so far they’ve held their own admirably against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
33 mins: Villa win a free kick over on their left wing. Youri Tielemans whips the set piece into the penalty area but Declan Rice rises highest to win the ball.
Arsenal burst forward with Rice sending the ball to Havertz on the right. He’s onside as he delivers the cross into the box. Saka is the intended target but Leon Bailey gets ahead of him and manages to intercept the ball.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
30 mins: Arsenal are trying to slow down the game. Regain possession and build an attack after weathering Villa’s best period of the match so far.
There’s a tense battle developing in the middle of the pitch. Arsenal are trying to play through Villa, Villa trying to keep them quiet.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
27 mins: Watkins’ miss was unforgivable in truth. His manager, teammates and the fans will all be gutted about it but Villa have finally sparked into life.
If they can get the opener then all will be forgiven.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
24 mins: Chance!
Massive moment for Aston Villa. Gabriel is hurried by Leon Bailey who manages to poke the ball into the path of Morgan Rogers. Rogers carries the ball into the box then squares it to Ollie Watkins who is wide open.
All he needs to do is hit the target but the striker hooks his shot wide of the near post!
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
21 mins: Bailey is still being treated over on the right side of the pitch. Unai Emery looks concerned but his winger is jogging up and down the sidelines which is a good sign at least.
The match restarts with Arsenal picking up where they left off.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
18 mins: Matty Cash has gone off the pitch and has been replaced with Kosta Nedeljkovic. Leon Bailey looks in trouble too. He tries to weave his way into the box from the right wing after receiving the pass from Amadou Onana.
As he turns his back to goal, he goes to ground and seems in a bad way.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
15 mins: Save!
Ben White makes a run into the box on the overlap and Martin Odegaard looks for him. Bukayo Saka intercepts the ball and check sto the left before drilling a shot at goal.
Emi Martinez drops to the right and pushes the ball wide of the target.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
12 mins: Arsenal have been the team on the front foot with a high aggressive press. Villa have been forced to go long numerous times already which is hindering their desire to keep possession.
Martinelli puts a cross into the box from the left and lifts it over to Saka. He’s up against Matty Cash who goes to ground after that attack comes to an end.
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
9 mins: Havertz releases Gabriel Martinelli up the pitch from deep inside his own box. The winger carries the ball to the edge of the box before squaring it over to Saka.
Saka’s cross is flapped away by Martinez and the ball drops to Rice. Rice shoots but fizzes his strike straight at the goalkeeper who clings onto the ball.
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