For one, the boyhood dream was to score goals for Arsenal. For the other, to stop them going in the Gunners’ net. Seventy-five seconds in and neither Ollie Watkins nor Mat Ryan realised a lifelong ambition but the striker had more to celebrate than the goalkeeper and most Arsenal supporters had little to enjoy.
Watkins’ third goal against Arsenal this season – and a 10th in total, offering value for his hefty £28 million ($38.5m) fee – brought Aston Villa a first double over the Gunners in 28 seasons.
“These players like to make history,” said manager Dean Smith. It is his side who look likelier to end the season in a European place. If Arsenal’s post-Christmas revival offered hope of an improbable surge into the top four, the last week has provided an unwanted reality check. “A big blow,” said Mikel Arteta.
Bernd Leno's dismissal came amid the chaos of defeat at Wolves. A tale of two Arsenal fans was also a story of two goalkeepers. Borrowed from Brighton, where he had lost his place, and parachuted in for his debut, Ryan went on to make a string of saves. Defeat was not his fault, but few Gunners careers begin less auspiciously.
Few have ended better than Emi Martinez’s. The Argentinian won silverware in his last two games before abandoning life as Leno’s understudy for a spot as a first-choice and he reminded Arsenal what they lost while gaining £20m. He has two clean sheets against them this season, brilliantly clawing away Granit Xhaka’s free kick and reacting smartly to block Nicolas Pepe’s deflected shot. He has a clean sheet in the majority of his league games this season and is a reason why Villa are one of this season’s most improved teams.
Arteta noted that Villa were better in both boxes, which can be attributed to Watkins and Martinez. Their impact can be seen in the table. “We have matched our [final] points tally of last season after 21 games which shows our level of improvement,” Smith said. “We deserved it."
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Aston Villa v Arsenal player ratings
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ASTON VILLA PLAYER RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez – 8: Former Arsenal goalkeeper would’ve particularly loved his 11th league clean sheet of season. Great save from Xhaka free-kick, and again with his feet from Pepe’s deflected shot. AP -
Matty Cash - 7: Part of a resolute Villa backline, where was needed a lot more as game worn on. Fine block tackle from Willian as Brazilian looked to get away from him. Worked much more in second half. Getty Images -
Ezri Konsa – 8: Not the best of starts personally when clashed heads with Lacazette, then booked for foul on Saka. However, stood strong throughout second half to repel majority of Arsenal’s attacks. Excellent display. AP -
Tyrone Mings – 9: Once more proved integral to Villa’s enviable defensive record. A rock at the back, marshalled those around him. Show superb reading of game to stop a dangerous counter, and supplied vital block from Smith Rowe. AFP -
Matt Targett - 7: Same as his namesake on the opposite flank. Was always in right place at the right time, evidenced by a decisive block from Saka when the away side broke forward at the start of the second half. AFP -
John McGinn - 6: Not as all-action as usual. Although neat and tidy, was quiet until just before the hour, when stung Ryan’s palms with drive from range. Compact enough to force Arsenal’s play out wide. Getty Images -
Marvelous Nakamba – 7: Back in the starting line-up to make only his third league start, was relatively unlucky to be booked for foul on Saka. Manned central midfield, offered hosts protection whenever needed. Getty Images -
Bertrand Traore – 7: Assisted Watkins for the perfect start for Villa, but should’ve finished himself when through on goal. His shot, though, lacked conviction as tried to dink over Ryan. Withdrawn on 65 minutes. AFP -
Ross Barkley - 6: Not involved enough initially in the free role behind Watkins, but grew into the game in second half. One mistimed shot after beautifully worked corner. Taken off on 76 minutes, much to his apparent chagrin. Reuters -
Jack Grealish - 7: One of the most enjoyable players in the league to watch, yet wasn’t quite at vintage. Brilliant feint and shot late on, which was well saved, then crucial in buying time for home side as saw out game. Still effective. AFP -
Ollie Watkins – 8: Continues fine form with predatory finish in second minute, which proved the winner. Forces few saves from Ryan, and flashed one shot wide with eight minutes left. Never stopped running. PA -
Trezeguet - 6: Came off the bench on 65 minutes, and spent most of time defending. Provided much-needed support to Cash as Arsenal overloaded on their left flank. PA -
Jacob Ramsey - 5: Youngster given last 15 minutes to help alleviate pressure on his team, but rarely involved. Did wriggle free at one stage, only for curled shot to lack any real power to truly test Ryan. Reuters -
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Mathew Ryan – 8: In for the suspended Bernd Leno to concede 74 seconds into debut. However, from there was formidable, racking up saves from Traore, Watkins (twice) and McGinn too. Strong parry from Grealish in dying stages. AFP -
Hector Bellerin - 6: Wasn’t at best in first half, but ventured forward much more after the interval. Decent left-footed effort early in second half gave easy save for Martinez. Got further forward, although not really impactful. Getty Images -
Rob Holding – 6: Was comfortable enough for a lot of the match, and had flicked wide a header on half hour. Showed some decent skill on occasion in attack, which with all due respect, was totally unexpected. Getty Images -
Gabriel – 6: Returned to side in David Luiz’s absence, and coped admirably for much of it. Good block from Barkley after ball rebounded to Villa player. Showed nice turn of pace on the cover against Watkins, too. Reuters -
Cedric Soares – 4: Awful start for the deputy left-back when his woeful pass to nobody gifts Villa the opener. Recovered well enough, but had set the tone, and contributed significantly to his team’s loss. Subbed off in 65th minute. EPA -
Thomas Partey - 5: Same old story for the Ghanaian. Patrolled midfield well enough, despite being booked early in second half. Then seemed to pick up yet another knock before leaving the action with 15 minutes remaining. AP -
Granit Xhaka – 6: At first appeared to be continuing recent resurgence with crisp passing, while sent Martinez scrambling to claw his fine free-kick from top corner. Booked in injury-time for clattering Grealish. Reuters -
Bukayo Saka – 7: Away side’s most dangerous threat in first half, when was repeatedly fouled. Displayed versatility as moved to left-back for final half hour, from where he supplied some good crosses. Enterpising and energetic. AFP -
Emile Smith Rowe - 5: Didn’t build on what’s been a stellar season thus far. Was kept pretty quiet, although one run took him into Villa penalty area before was stopped in tracks. Faded as match played out. Reuters -
Nicolas Pepe – 6: Constantly found himself in promising positions, but typically, end product didn’t match the build-up. Lashed one effort well wide, then side-footed past post. Deflected effort tested Martinez. Still not enough. Getty Images -
Alexandre Lacazette – 5: Began brightly, but was wasteful when his side had three on two on the break in the first half, delaying pass and taking wrong decision. Deservedly taken off on the hour. AP -
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5: Introduced on the hour for Lacazette, but aside from heading over tamely from Saka’s cross, offered very little. Appears to be some way from best, even if lack of game-time hasn’t helped. PA -
Martin Odegaard - 6: On on 65 minutes, and immediately looked sharp in knitting play for the visitors. Yet spurned a great chance after Saka’s super pull-back, when smashed over. Nice pass to unleash Pepe in jury-time. Getty Images -
Willian - 4: Thrown on for final 15 minutes, taking up place on Arsenal’s left side. His presence allowed Saka more space, but Brazilian was largely ineffectual. Mikel Arteta would’ve hoped for more. AP
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Arteta disagreed. “We completely dominated the game in every department.” That was an exaggeration. Villa fashioned a series of chances. Watkins was a constant threat, leading the line with relentless zeal and a persistence that could have brought him another goal. One shot was skewed wide, two more parried by Ryan. The crucial strike was not his cleanest.
Arsenal may have ultimately missed the injured Kieran Tierney more than the banned Leno. Cedric Soares deputised at left-back and coughed up possession to Bertrand Traore. He advanced and provided a low cutback and Watkins’ shot flicked off Rob Holding on its way in. His 100th career goal was a fourth in five games. “We gave them the ball,” Arteta lamented. “The moment you make a mistake, they punish you.”
So far, so bad for Ryan. His day got better. His wait for a save ended when Traore tried to chip him, the goalkeeper read it and clawed his effort away. He parried a well-struck effort from John McGinn, denied Jack Grealish and prevented Watkins from doubling his tally.
Arsenal could rue a slow start and the officiating. Arteta felt Ezri Konsa should have been dismissed for a challenge on Bukayo Saka. “Regardless of what the referee did today we should win the game comfortably,” he added.
They threatened more after the break, with Pepe angling a shot just wide. Arteta brought on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Martin Odegaard and each directed efforts over the bar. “When you are not ruthless in their box then you don’t win games,” Arteta said. “It cost us two games in the last four days.”
