Arsenal 0-3 Aston Villa: Arsenal’s miserable night at the Emirates

Ollie Watkins scores a brace as Aston Villa thrash Arsenal in a miserable night at the Emirates stadium.

Oliver Watkins wheels away after netting his second at the Emirates against Arsenal on Sunday night (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Dean Smith led Jack Grealish and Co to the Emirates on Sunday night in a premier league fixture that many thought would be a routine win for the Gunners but it was the Villans that came to the party all night long.

 

Mikel Arteta had started an unchanged eleven from the Old Trafford night, and on the evidence of what was displayed against Manchester United, not many would expect a lackluster performance from the same legs that humbled the devils.

Aston Villa were quick off the blocks and Bernd Leno was soon picking the ball from his net just after 46 seconds but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Nothing changed from then on as the visitors looked the likelier to score each time they advance towards Arsenal’s area.

Arsenal’s only source of joy in the game throughout the first half was through the middle in Thomas Partey and his forays early on teed up Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, the Gabonese striker breezed down the left and cut back for an unmarked Willian but the Brazilian went for the skies.

Villa were soon a goal up and deservedly too, Trezeguet’s pressure on Bukayo Saka forced the Arsenal starlet to divert into his net with Leno unable to do anything about it as defenders watched helplessly when a cross from the left eluded everyone.

The game was always going to brew hot topics of comparison between Leno and Martinez, Mikel Arteta had failed to convince the Argentine in the summer and he was sold to Villa with many fans angry after seeing Martinez deputize brightly after Leno’s injury on premier league’s restart in the summer.

Aston Villa got the second goal in the second half with Oliver Watkins bundling home from close range after a very brilliant cross from Ross Barkley, yet again, Arsenal’s defense went to sleep and two soon became three.

Jack Grealish charged down the left and fed Watkins on the run in the Arsenal area, the young forward blasted through the legs of Leno for his brace and Villa’s third. 

The in handed Aston Villa a 100% away record in the premier league and a surge on the table with Arsenal leaving fans frustrated.