Ollie Watkins seals back-to-back defeats for Arsenal, who could end weekend eight points off a European spot; Aston Villa return to winning ways and go close to bigger victory with Jack Grealish, Watkins, John McGinn and Bertrand Traore denied

Watkins made the most of some lax defending between Cedric Soares and Gabriel, which allowed Bertrand Traore to steal in before teeing up his team-mate for a close-range finish with only 74 seconds on the clock.

Ollie Watkins’ second-minute goal proved the winner as Aston Villa’s 1-0 victory condemned Arsenal to a second league defeat in five days.

Debutant Mat Ryan had by far the busier afternoon of the two goalkeepers, denying Traore before half-time and keeping out strong Watkins, John McGinn and Jack Grealish efforts after the break.

Nicolas Pepe shot wide when played through in that second period in one of Arsenal’s few clear-cut attacks and later pulled a smart save from Emiliano Martinez with a deflected strike. But the 10th-placed Gunners’ resurgence was dealt a further blow by the end scoreline, while Villa moved a point off sixth-placed Chelsea.

Player ratings
Aston Villa: Martinez (6), Cash (6), Konsa (6), Mings (8), Targett (7), Nakamba (6), Barkley (6), McGinn (7), Traore (7), Watkins (7), Grealish (7).

Subs: Trezeguet (6), Ramsey (6).

Arsenal: Ryan (7), Bellerin (5), Gabriel 95), Holding (6), Cedric (4), Partey (6), Xhaka (6), Pepe (6), Smith Rowe (6), Saka (6), Lacazette (5).

Subs: Aubameyang (6), Odegaard (6), Willian (5).

Man of the match: Ollie Watkins

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