Arsenal secure a convincing 3-1 win over Aston Villa

Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emile Smith Rowe netted for Arsenal before Jacob Ramsey scored a consolation goal for Aston Villa.

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League fixture on Friday night; Credit: Twitter/@Arsenal
By Sreejith C R | Oct 23, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League fixture at Emirates stadium on Friday. After back-to-back draws against Brighton and Crystal Palace, it was a perfect return to winning ways for the Gunners as they have now extended their unbeaten run to seven games. Thomas Partey opened the scoring before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the lead from the penalty spot before the break. Emile Smith Rowe scored Arsenal’s third of the night in the second half, while Jacob Ramsey pulled one back for the visitors. 

Within 25 seconds of kick-off, Ollie Watkins was booked after finding himself embroiled in a spat with Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, that set the tone of the first half, which was clearly dominated by the hosts. Aubameyang’s missed acrobatic attempt from Bukayo Saka’s cross fell back to the English winger, but he ballooned his attempt from close range.

Arsenal came ever so close to breaking the deadlock when Gabriel’s attempt from Saka’s free-kick rattled the bar. But the Gunners didn’t have to wait too long to get the deserved lead. Emil Smith Rowe’s in-swinging corner from the left flank was headed home by Partey at the near post. Villa had now conceded four goals from set pieces from their last two matches. Meanwhile it was Partey’s first goal for the London club.

On the half-hour mark, Smith released Nuno Tavares down the left side and the 21-year-old’s cross found Saka at the far post. But the 20-year-old’s first time shot was brilliantly kept out by Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s outstretched legs. However, Arsenal extended the lead on the stroke of half time. Referee Pawson was alerted by VAR about a potential foul by Matt Targett on Alexandre Lacazette. The referee checked on the pitch side monitor and pointed to the spot.

Aubameyang stepped up and his initial spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Martinez but the Gabon international slotted home from the rebound.

Smith Rowe’s goal sealed the win

Villa boss Dean Smith reverted to a back four after the break, as Leon Bailey replaced Axel Tuanzebe. But the home side scored their third goal of the night in the 56th minute. Aubameyang released Smith Rowe down the left with a flick pass from Tavares’ ball. The 21-year-old midfielder dribbled forward before slotting the ball past Martinez and into the goal with the help of a fortunate deflection from Tyrone Mings.

Meanwhile Villa’s first real attempt on goal came after the hour-mark as Targett found the run of Emi Buendia inside the box, but the Argentine’s shot was saved by Arsenal custodian Aaron Ramsdale.

At the other end, Aubameyang tested Martinez with a fine curler, cutting inside from the left. Meanwhile Villa scored a consolation goal, nine minutes from time. Ramsey slotted the ball into the top corner of Arsenal goal with a first time shot from the edge of the box.

Arsenal would hold on to the two goal lead to secure the three points which would help them to 14 points from nine games to be placed at ninth spot. Meanwhile Aston Villa have lost three consecutive league games, leaving them at 14th spot with 10 points from 9 games.

Arteta said after the match: “It was very close to it [Arsenal at their best]. What I liked the most was the way the team reacted to Monday evening. We accepted it wasn’t good enough. We’re the youngest team in the league but that’s not an excuse. We can’t change the age. We have to bring the belief they can play at this level because they can.

“It was a penalty for me. VAR didn’t give us anything against Palace and I thought it was a penalty, irrespective of the time.

“It’s nice to be back in the top half. We’ve had a tough start and today I’m really satisfied with the performance and the result.”





Related Post

HIGHLIGHTS

Buzzwords