Arsenal ensured they have started the 2024-25 Premier League season with two wins from two games as second-half goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey gave the Gunners a 2-0 win at Aston Villa.
Trossard swept in a clinical finish to put the visitors ahead in the 67th minute – two minutes after the Belgium forward had come on – before Emi Martinez was unable to prevent Partey’s fierce shot from distance from reaching the left-hand corner of his net 10 minutes later.
Villa striker Ollie Watkins missed the best chance of the first half, scuffing a low finish comfortably wide with only goalkeeper David Raya to beat from close range.
Unai Emery’s side had two more golden opportunities nine minutes into the second half when Raya made a spectacular double save, denying Watkins from the rebound after diverting Amadou Onana’s deflected shot against the crossbar.
THOMASSSSSS!!!
Partey scores from range to double our advantage! ✌️
🟣 0-2 ⚫️ (78) pic.twitter.com/7aqdkKs6Yo
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 24, 2024
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Villa vs Arsenal: Gunners’ revenge
The Villans severely dented Arsenal’s title hopes last season when they won 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on April 14, with Watkins scoring the second goal on that occasion.
Watkins looked certain to inflict more damage on Mikel Arteta’s ambitions of topping the pile, only to be betrayed by an uncharacteristic lack of conviction which let the visitors off the hook.
As much as Arsenal owe this victory to Raya’s remarkable reflexes when Villa so nearly scored after the break, Trossard will be the man who most feels he has made a point.
So often a game-changer from the bench, the 29-year-old scored with his first touch by rifling in a ruthless first-time drive to turn a tricky evening in Arsenal’s favour.
Partey’s first goal since March 2023 and first away from home for the club put the contest out of reach for Villa, who will be left rueing a lack of attacking composure and precision.
“That’s what I’m there for.” 🧤
David Raya gives detail on how he saved Ollie Watkins’ chance for Aston Villa 😲 pic.twitter.com/w3SmJWzWwV
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 24, 2024
Raya vs Villa: ‘Crucial’
“Everyone is a hero because we work together,” Spain’s Raya told Sky Sports. “It’s not just me saving the ball. It was a crucial moment in the game where it was 0-0 and they had chances. I was there to save Ollie’s header.
“Of what I remember, it’s a shot from outside the box. I’m on the floor so I try to get up and I can’t reach it. I just see Ollie going in there so I react as quickly as possible. I put my hand there and there’s no-one there to get the ball.
“It’s just a repetition of things. You do drills and have to save one ball and get up to save another. This time it paid off. This is a reaction one; I don’t think it’s my best save.”
