Arteta's Arsenal frustration mounts as Villa pinch all three points

Cedric error allows Watkins pinch early winner as Dean Smith's side holds firm

STEADY HANDS: Arsenal's Martin Odegaard (left) and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez battle for the ball during Villa's 1-0 on Saturday. Picture: Catherine Ivill

Premier League: Aston Villa 1 (Watkins 2) Arsenal 0.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta preferred to criticise his team’s finishing rather the match officials after his side suffered their second defeat in a week.

Ollie Watkins’ 100th career goal, which came after just 75 seconds, clinched the double for Dean Smith’s side and consigned the Gunners to a twin setback in the West Midlands after losing 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.

Arteta’s Arsenal have now taken one point from nine after sweeping 16 points from 18 and at Villa Park they had 66% possession but only three efforts on target.

The Spaniard could be seen remonstrating with the officials after the final whistle after Ezri Konsa was booked for appearing to clip the heel of Bukayo Saka, while there were suggestions they were denied a penalty following a challenge by former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on Alexandre Lacazette.

But Arteta was having none of it regarding any negativity towards the referee, saying: “I will keep my thoughts to myself – I prefer to stay on mute.

“It was a really strong performance – we dominated the game in every department. We should have won. We were not ruthless enough in our opponent’s final third and if you do that, you’re not going to win games.

“We showed quality, we had control of the long balls, the short balls but we didn’t do enough to win the game.” 

Smith was delighted with his side’s performance after losing 3-1 to West Ham.

“I was really pleased,” he said. “It was a good, solid performance and a good, solid victory that was deserved as well.

“They had the lion’s share of possession but ‘Emi’ (Martinez) took some crosses but only made two or three saves and their keeper was more worked than ours.” 

Smith’s side were in a hurry and they stunned Arsenal by taking the lead after just 75 seconds.

Arsenal were caught dozing as left back Cedric Soares played a careless pass to no-one and Bertrand Traoré pounced, breaking into the box on the right before crossing low for Watkins to turn home a deflected effort.

Watkins’ 12th goal of the season was Villa’s earliest Premier League goal since May 2014 when Ashley Westwood netted against Hull City after 57 seconds.

Despite dominating possession, the closest Arsenal came to replying was when Grant Xhaka’s 25-yard curling free kick brilliantly tipped away by Martinez in the 29th minute.

Villa remained a threat on the break and Traoré’s attempted dink looked to be heading wide before it was plucked out of the air by goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who was making his debut on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in place of the suspended Bernd Leno.

The flashpoint involving Konsa and Bukayo Saka came in the 32nd minute. Konsa was booked but replays appeared to show Saka tripped himself. Pepe blazed wide with an angled shot as Arsenal continued to probe for the equaliser.

But Villa started the second half on the front foot and a low drive from Watkins was tipped away by Ryan before Barkley drove wide.

Arsenal soon came back into it, however. Pepe curled just off target, Hector Bellerín forced a falling save from Martinez after cutting inside and Saka’s shot was deflected behind.

Substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed wide and Martinez made a vital block with his right leg after Pepe’s angled finish deflected off Konsa.

Watkins almost made it 2-0 on 83 when he dragged his shot inches wide.

But Arsenal wasted the chance to level when substitute Martin Ødegaard blazed over.

ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Martínez 8; Cash 8, Konsa 7, Mings 8, Targett 7; McGinn 6, Nakamba 6; Traoré 7 (Trézéguet 66 mins, 6), Barkley 6 (Ramsey 78 mins, 6), Grealish 7, Watkins 8.

Subs not used: Heaton, Douglas Luiz, El Ghazi, Engels, Sanson, El Mohamady, Davis.

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ryan 6; Bellerín 6, Holding 6, Gabriel 6, Cédric Soares 5 (Ødegaard 65 mins, 6); Partey 6 (Willian 74 mins, 6), Xhaka 7; Saka 8, Smith Rowe 7, Pépé 8; Lacazette 6 (Aubameyang 59 mins, 6).

Subs not used: Ceballos, Rúnarsson, Chambers, Marí, Elneny, Martinelli.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh 7/10.