BACK TO DEFAULT SETTINGS : Arsenal lose again as Ollie Watkins propels Aston Villa to victory
February 7, 2021
Ollie Watkins’ early goal proved the winner as Aston Villa beat Arsenal 1-0 at home – the Gunners’ second defeat in the West Midlands in five days.
Watkins put Villa ahead in the second minute with a deflected shot past Arsenal debutant Mat Ryan.
Former Gunners keeper Emiliano Martinez made good saves to keep out a Granit Xhaka free-kick in the first half and a Nicolas Pepe effort after the break.
Ryan also pulled off some decent stops, including denying Jack Grealish as Villa pushed for a second goal late in the game.
At the other end, substitute Martin Odegaard fired a good chance over the bar as Arsenal slipped to another loss, four days on from the 2-1 reverse at Wolves.
Ryan, signed on loan from Brighton last month, and defender Gabriel Magalhaes came into the Arsenal starting XI as replacements for Bernd Leno and David Luiz, who were both suspended following their red cards in the Wolves game.
And just seconds into his debut, the Australian goalkeeper found himself beaten as Bertrand Traore seized on a loose ball from Cedric Soares and laid a pass to Watkins, whose shot went in off Rob Holding.
It was a 10th league goal of the season for Watkins, and his fourth in five games.
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