Arsenal maintained their winning start to the season as Bukayo Saka’s goal secured the reigning Premier League champions a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

The Gunners initially struggled for fluency at Villa Park, but Saka – who was also on target in Arsenal’s dominant victory over Coventry City last time out – made no mistake when Riccardo Calafiori put the ball on a plate for him midway through the second half.

Villa were much improved from their 4-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, but they again failed to register a shot on target, with their best attempt seeing Emiliano Buendia strike the woodwork.

Having started 2026/27 with two defeats, Villa look set for a busy end to the transfer window, after potential new arrivals Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis watched Monday’s match from the stands.

How the match unfolded

Arsenal had an early escape when Buendia rattled a 20-yard sighter off the top of the crossbar, before Calafiori nodded over from Declan Rice’s corner at the other end.

But the Gunners largely struggled for momentum throughout the first half, and another half chance for Villa saw Ian Maatsen curl wide after cutting in from the left.

Making his Villa debut after being brought in as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson showed good energy to burst down the right wing and cross, but George Hemmings was just unable to get the decisive touch.

Mikel Arteta introduced Eberechi Eze at half-time in a bid for more attacking impetus, and Arsenal thought they had a penalty when Saka was caught by Maatsen in the 54th minute.

However, Jarred Gillett’s decision to point to the spot was overturned when a VAR review found the foul took place outside the area, and Martin Odegaard curled wide from the subsequent free-kick.

Saka broke the deadlock only five minutes after that incident, though, bundling Calafiori’s centre home after Eze picked out the Italian’s underlapping run.

The hosts’ debutant goalkeeper Zion Suzuki claimed a Kai Havertz piledriver at the second attempt, before Arteta brought on Ezri Konsa – signed from Villa only 10 days ago – to a mixed reception from the Villa Park faithful.

And Konsa was never truly tested by his former employers as Arsenal’s victory continues their 100 per cent start to the season.

Villa, meanwhile, are still searching for their first points of the season. (premierleague.com)