Goalkeeper Mat Ryan conceded 74 seconds into his debut for Arsenal as Aston Villa completed their first top-flight double over the Gunners for 28 years.
2020/2021 Premier League
1-0
Match Report
Former Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez started the move which led to Bertrand Traore pouncing on a mistake by Cedric Soares before Ollie Watkins scored with a shot that deflected off Rob Holding.
Boyhood Gunners fan Ryan, signed on loan from Brighton in January and starting in place of suspended first-choice keeper Bernd Leno, produced a fine save to deny Traore a goal on his return to the Villa side.
Martinez frustrated his former club further when the Argentine produced an excellent save to keep out Granit Xhaka's free-kick.
Villa move up to eighth in the Premier League with Arsenal in 10th.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
1' GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal (Watkins)
28' Pepe's shot stopped
29' CLOSE! Xhaka's free kick stopped by Martinez
31' Traore's shot stopped by Ryan
34' Holding's header over the bar
43' Pepe's shot wide out
50' Watkins' long shot stopped
54' McGinn's shot stopped by Ryan
68' Pepe's shot stopped by Martinez
78' Grealish's shot stopped by Ryan
83' CHANCE! Watkins' shot inches wide
84' Odegaard's shot over the bar
Line-ups
Aston Villa XI: E. Martinez, Traore, Barkley, Grealish, McGinn, Mings, Nakamba, Targett, O. Watkins, Ngoyo, M. Cash
Subs: Heaton, El Mohamady, Engels, Sanson, Trezeguet, El Ghazi, Davis, Douglas Luiz, J. Ramsey
Arsenal XI: Lacazette, Xhaka, Ryan, Cedric, Bellerin, Partey, Pepe, Holding, Gabriel, Smith Rowe, Saka
Subs: Willian, Aubameyang, M.Elneny, Mari, Runarsson, Chambers, M. Ødegaard, Ceballos, Martinelli