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How did match-winner Saka do? Aston Villa v Arsenal ratings
Confirmed
Saka earns Arsenal hard-fought win at Aston Villa Bukayo Saka's goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa. 6 John McGinn: The skipper drilled over and was his usual energetic self as Villa tried to unsettle Arsenal and did not drop his energy levels.
6 Ian Maatsen: With new signing Matteo Ruggeri on the bench, he has competition and had his hands full with Bukayo Saka, and was beaten to the ball for the goal. 6 Boubacar Kamara: The midfielder is so crucial to how Villa play and he offered an important shield to frustrate the Gunners until Saka's opener.
7 Ross Barkley: The former Everton youngster has been given a second chance at Villa as they rebuild and tried to keep the hosts flowing. Arsenal appealed in vain for a penalty when Riccardo Calafiori tumbled under contact from Pau Torres late in the first half.
Unai Emery said he had taken a lot of positives from the match, especially as Villa did not concede too many chances. 6 Pau Torres: Helped keep Arsenal at bay until they broke the deadlock in the second half.
6 Victor Lindelof: The Sweden international diligently tried to keep Arsenal in check. Has not let Villa down since arriving on a free transfer.
After his side showed a distinct lack of cutting edge in the opening period, Mikel Arteta replaced Christos Tzolis with Eberechi Eze at the interval. 7 Matty Cash: His usual solid display and got the better of Christos Tzolis, who was replaced at the break.
Zion Suzuki: A debut for the £30m goalkeeper from Parma who had no chance with the opening goal. “To lose one match is painful, but after feeling pain we have to get positive things,” he said.
Misjudged his first corner but his distribution caught the eye and will be useful this season. Here's how BBC Sport rated the players, and how you rated them.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Arsenal appealed in vain for a penalty when Riccardo Calafiori tumbled under contact from Pau Torres late in the first half.
- After his side showed a distinct lack of cutting edge in the opening period, Mikel Arteta replaced Christos Tzolis with Eberechi Eze at the interval.
- Unai Emery said he had taken a lot of positives from the match, especially as Villa did not concede too many chances.
- “To lose one match is painful, but after feeling pain we have to get positive things,” he said.
- Saka earns Arsenal hard-fought win at Aston Villa Bukayo Saka's goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa .
- Here's how BBC Sport rated the players, and how you rated them.
- Zion Suzuki: A debut for the £30m goalkeeper from Parma who had no chance with the opening goal.
- Misjudged his first corner but his distribution caught the eye and will be useful this season.