Tyrone Mings 9, Ollie Watkins 8; Mathew Ryan 8, Alexandre Lacazette 5: Aston Villa v Arsenal player ratings

Hosts claim a 1-0 win to inflict a second Premier League defeat in a week on Arsenal

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 Withdrawn on 65 minutes.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

An early goal from Ollie Watkins helped Aston Villa beat a sloppy Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday to move up to eighth in the Premier League standings, consigning the visitors to a second defeat in as many games.

Villa took the lead after 74 seconds when Bertrand Traore pounced on a loose back pass by full back Cedric Soares and cut the ball back to Ollie Watkins, whose first time effort was deflected past Arsenal's debutant goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

Arsenal's best opportunity to score an equaliser came from a Granit Xhaka free kick which looked destined for the top corner until their own former goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at full stretch pushed it around the post with a fingertip save.

While Villa leapfrogged struggling Tottenham Hotspur, the result left Arsenal in 10th with 31 points, two points behind their north London rivals having played two games more.

Following the match at Villa Park, John McAuley has provided his player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device simply swipe.