Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 0 - Player ratings
See how we rated the Aston Villa players in their win over Arsenal.
Emiliano Martinez
This was the goalkeeper’s 11th clean sheet of the season and while he saved well from a Granit Xhaka free-kick and a deflected Nicolas Pepe effort, he has had busier days. Faultless handling.
Assured 7
Matty Cash
There was a point around the hour mark when Villa’s right-back looked to be a little tired and it would have been no surprise seeing as he had barely stopped running to that point. His doggedness epitomised the team effort.
Spirit 8
Ezri Konsa
Arsenal felt the centre-back should have been shown a red card, rather than merely a yellow, after he tangled with Saka in the first half. Other than that one moment this was another assured display.
Cool 7
Tyrone Mings
The kind of performance which to remind the critics just how big a player for Villa the England international is. Never stopped encouraging his team-mates and barely put a foot wrong all game.
Leader 8
Matt Targett
Villa’s left-back always had to be on his guard for the opening hour faced with the lively Bukayo Saka. But he kept Arsenal’s best player on the day on a relatively tight leash.
Watchful 7
John McGinn
A much-improved performance from the Scotland international following a disappointing outing against West Ham. Stuck his foot in when needed and made a number of key interceptions.
Busy 7
Marvelous Nakamba
The Zimbabwe international has now started three Premier League matches this season and in all three Villa have kept a clean sheet. Couldn’t do much more to stake his claim for a regular place.
Impressive 7
Bertrand Traore
Justified his recall by pouncing on Cedric’s loose pass and setting up Watkins for the only goal of the game. Denied a goal of his own by Ryan. Generally a delight to watch.
Classy 7
Ross Barkley
A better performance than against West Ham but still a little way short of his best. At his strongest early in the second half when he tested Ryan and set up Watkins.
Improving 6
Jack Grealish
For the second match running Villa’s skipper found himself the focus of a man-marking exercise. Became a greater influence on proceedings as the game wore on.
Influential 7
Ollie Watkins
The striker’s 10th Premier League goal of the season might have taken a big deflection but the fortune proved deserved after another all-action performance. Denied by Ryan twice in the second half.
Relentless 8
Substitutes
Trezeguet (for Traore, 66), Ramsey (for Barkley, 79) Subs not used: Engels, Elmohamady, Sanson, Luiz, El Ghazi, Davis, Heaton (gk).
