"Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: Gunners Secure Tense Victory - Player Ratings"

Arsenal battled to a hard-fought 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.

The Gunners were rarely comfortable and watched on as Ollie Watkins missed two glorious opportunities, skewing the first before being denied by a David Raya wondersave, before substitute Trossard netted with his first touch.

Partey managed to squeeze a low effort through Emiliano Martinez late on, leading Arsenal to a huge three points.

A handful of injuries threatened to disrupt what was an intriguing tempo to the opening stages. Bukayo Saka had the game's first real chance 15 minutes in, cutting inside and striking down low to draw an impressive save from Martinez.

Watkins should have put Villa ahead ten minutes later. Leon Bailey caught Gabriel on the ball and possession eventually landed at the feet of the Villa striker, who dragged wide from close range when it looked easier to score.

Thomas Partey blazed over from range on the half-hour mark, before Kai Havertz's dangerous cut-back was well blocked by a retreating Bailey. At the other end, Morgan Rogers saw a low cross well handled by David Raya, who had to be alert to keep out an attempted chip from Bailey.

The Watkins chance was undoubtedly the best of a first half in which clear-cut sights of goal were at a premium. Arsenal managed nearly 70% possession but it was Villa who ended the half on top.

Nine minutes into the second half, Villa seemed destined to score. Amadou Onana's strike was deflected on to the bar as Raya was left helpless, but the Gunners goalkeeper somehow got back to his feet and pulled off a sublime point-blank save from Watkins.

With his first touch of the ball, substitute Trossard put Arsenal ahead in the 67th minute. The Belgian found some space in the box as Saka's cut-back ricocheted into his path, and he made no mistake with a first-time effort.

Ten minutes later, Arsenal doubled their advantage. Partey's strike from range appeared to wrong-foot Martinez, who failed to deal with what felt like a routine effort as he palmed it into the back of the net.

Martin Odegaard blazed over almost immediately after, before William Saliba made a sensational last-ditch challenge to deny Jacob Ramsey and ensure Villa could not get anything from this game.