Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Saka strike continues Gunners' winning start

Arsenal continued their successful begin to the season as Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike fired them to a 1-0 victory away to Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta named an unchanged beginning XI following his aspect’s opening 3-0 win over Coventry Metropolis final week. There have been alterations on the bench nevertheless as Bruno Guimarães returned from a minor groin situation and Ezri Konsa was included forward of probably making his debut in opposition to his former aspect.

Villa began the sport the stronger aspect as they induced issues for the Gunners, however the guests’ first likelihood got here when Myles Lewis-Skelly picked the ball up on the sting and struck in the direction of aim, however his effort was blocked.

The hosts nearly took the lead in gorgeous circumstances by Emiliano Buendía, who unleashed an effort from vary solely to see it strike the crossbar.

Arsenal grew into the sport, however they struggled to carve out clear probabilities and had been hindered by the offside flag on a variety of events whereas Villa continued to be a supply of bother on the different finish of the pitch. Nonetheless, neither aspect might discover the breakthrough earlier than half-time.

All sq. heading into the break.

Let’s hold pushing, Gunners! 👊 pic.twitter.com/9fuehJzlor

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2026

Arteta opted to make a change to his aspect after the restart, bringing Eberechi Eze on for Christos Tzolis, who had considerably underperformed on the left wing.

The Gunners thought they’d been awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second-half when Declan Rice performed Bukayo Saka by just for him to be introduced down as he darted into the field. Nonetheless, the foul was deemed to have occurred outdoors the realm and a free kick was given.

They took the lead minutes after Martin Ødegaard fired the lifeless ball broad when substitute Eze performed a neat ball in for Riccardo Calafiori to race onto and sq. for Saka to faucet in from shut vary.

Kai Havertz had a terrific likelihood to double his aspect’s lead when he was performed clear by on aim, however he could not beat Zion Suzuki along with his effort because the Japan worldwide stood agency to dam the shot.

It did not matter although as Arsenal noticed out the closing phases, together with eight minutes of stoppage time, to maintain Villa at bay and safe the three factors from their first away recreation of the season.

Listed below are the Gunners’ participant scores from their 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal participant scores

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) – 7/10 – Regular between the sticks to maintain a second clear sheet in his second recreation. Good when amassing within the air and calm with the ball at his ft.

Ben White (RB) – 6.5/10 – Made a number of good runs down the appropriate aspect to help Saka and did his defensive job too, coping with the Villa stress down the left aspect effectively.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) – 6.5/10 – Stable on the again as soon as once more and unlucky to see his evening come to an finish resulting from damage with simply over 10 minutes left to play.

Gabriel Magalhães (CB) – 6.5/10 – efficiency within the backline as he dealt fairly effectively with Villa’s assault all through the tie.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) – 7/10 – Villa gave the impression to be afforded loads of area in behind him. Pushed down by Torres within the field, however nothing given. Made a great run into the field to select up possession and sq. for Saka to open the scoring.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) – 6.5/10 – Fired a free kick simply broad of the put up within the second-half. Performed a number of good passes, together with a disguised cross for Havertz, however wasn’t as impactful as final week. Taken off after 70 minutes.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) – 7/10 – Did very well to protect the ball and kill off a Villa assault within the field. Fairly stable in midfield earlier than being changed with 20 minutes to play.

Declan Rice (CM) – 7/10 – Brought on issues for Suzuki along with his set piece deliveries. Performed a pleasant ball by for Saka to run onto and win the overturned penalty. Helped out in assault and defence as at all times. Subbed within the late phases.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7/10 – Received his aspect a penalty when he was dragged down, however the foul was deemed to have occurred outdoors of the field. Broke the impasse from shut vary when he tapped in from Calafiori’s sq. ball.

Kai Havertz (ST) – 6/10 – Denied a terrific likelihood to double his aspect’s lead when he was performed by on aim, solely to see his try saved effectively by Suzuki. Not his finest all-round efficiency up entrance.

Christos Tzolis (LW) – 5/10 – Picked up a yellow card within the first-half and will have been proven a second however bought away with it. Struggled to get the higher of Money all through and withdrawn on the break.