Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Aston Villa FC 1 - 0 Arsenal FC
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:34
Aston Villa set a new club record of 15 consecutive home wins in the league as McGinn's early goal sees them beat Arsenal 1-0. The Villa captain scored just seven minutes in, rifling his shot into the top corner. They struggled to create too many more chances, but their defensive work caused Arsenal all sorts of problems. Carlos made two goal-line clearances, one on either side of half-time, as he denied Martinelli and an own goal from a corner. Saka did find the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside, while Havertz thought he'd equalised in the 90th minute, but the referee spotted a handball in the build-up, and it was disallowed. Villa stay in third, but that win moves them to within one point of Arsenal, and they're just two points off Liverpool at the top. They play Zrinjski in the Europa Conference League on Thursday next time out. Arsenal suffer just their second league defeat of the season as they miss the chance to go back into first. They travel to PSV on Tuesday in the Champions League. That's all for today, goodbye!
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:29
FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:29
MISS! Arsenal are throwing everything that have at Villa to get another last-gasp goal here. Rice curls a good cross in, but Nketiah gets caught under it with his header looping over the bar. The flag was up against him anyway though.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:26
The board originally showed five additional minutes, but due to the VAR check at the start of stoppage time, we're still playing here. Villa are trying their best to run the clock down and seal what would be a historic 15th consecutive home win.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:24
BLOCK! McGinn makes a driving run upfield, but instead of using the options to his left, he goes it alone, running into Gabriel. The rebound falls to Dendoncker, who curls a long-range shot on goal, but Saliba gets in the way of that one.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:23
Martinez was flailing behind Cash during the disallowed goal, and the right-back caught him in the eye with his boot as they both went down. He's up celebrating the decision with the crowd, but he needs patching up before the game can carry on.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:22
Substitution Oleksandr Zinchenko Reiss Luke Nelson
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:22
It was a bit of a scramble by both Havertz and Cash at the far post, and it does look like it bounced against Havertz's hand at some point during the chaos. The referee gave it in real-time, and after a very long look at the replays, the onfield decision stands! Still 1-0 Villa!
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:20
NO GOAL! It's a great cross by Odegaard, and Havertz just rises above Cash. The ball ricochets off both players a couple of times before the German eventually pokes it in from very close range. He's ready to run off in celebration, but the referee says no goal for a handball by Havertz before he scores.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:18
There's an off-the-ball incident between Carlos and Nketiah as the defender puts his arm across to stop the run. He catches the substitute with his elbow, and though there's a VAR check for a possible red card, it's just a yellow.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:16
Arsenal are still dominating possession, but Villa are standing firm at the back. Their compact shape is doing more than enough to frustrate the visitors at the moment.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:14
Arsenal have a knack for winning games late on, and they're still pushing for something from this one. Cash plays out of their high press well, unlike Dendoncker, who slices it needlessly out of play for a Gunners throw-in.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:10
Substitution Gabriel Fernando de Jesus Edward Keddar Nketiah
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:10
Luiz's switch out to Cash is cut out, and Arsenal break quickly once more. Havertz slides it through to Jesus, but as he tries to make a decision on which option to use, Moreno steps in to dispossess him.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:07
Substitution Lucas Digne Alexandre Moreno Lopera
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:07
Luiz keeps the ball in play with a lovely bit of skill but nearly sets Odegaard in the counter. Cash rushes in to intercept the pass before that can happen before fizzing his low, long-range shot wide of the far post.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:06
Yellow Card Declan Rice
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:05
Trossard's loose pass gifts possession to Ramsey, but Arsenal quickly flood back in numbers. The Villa substitute plays a one-two with Dendoncker as they work it out to the left, but he can only win a corner.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:02
McGinn's frustration at a Villa attack fizzling out gets the better of him, and he flies into a challenge on Odegaard. He can have no complaints about that booking.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
19:01
Arsenal win a free-kick to the left, and Odegaard shapes as if he's going to whip it in, but he leaves it to Rice. He drills it low, but a deflection off Luiz's heels takes the power off it for Martinez.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:58
Substitution Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva Leandro Trossard
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:58
GOOD SAVE! McGinn goes long and Gabriel chooses to try and get across to cover the inside, allowing Diaby to get on the end of it. He squares it to Watkins in the middle, but his first-time shot is straight at Raya.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:56
Substitution Boubacar Bernard Kamara Leander Dendoncker
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:55
Substitution Ezri Konsa Ngoyo Matthew Stuart Cash
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:55
The space just seems to open up for Diaby down the right, and he's allowed to carry the ball a long way. He doesn't have support in the box, but he curls in a low cross anyway, which Raya holds onto.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:52
Luiz just clips the back of Saka's heels but then throws the ball away in frustration. It's a silly booking to pick up, especially since it's his fifth of the season, so he'll miss the Brentford game too.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:52
NO GOAL! Arsenal work it out from the back again, and Rice lifts it over the top for Saka to chase as he peels off the back of Digne. Martinez comes racing out of his box, but Saka takes it around him before slotting into the empty net, but the flag is up against him.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:51
Villa just can't get out of their own half at the moment, and they're struggling to get on the ball too. Arsenal are dominating possession, but struggling to get any results to show for it.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:49
MISS! Arsenal should be level! Zinchenko dinks it over the top once more, and Havertz gets in front of Ramsey to lift it into the middle. Odegaard runs onto it, hitting the shot first time, but gets it all wrong as it bounces wide of the far post.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:47
OFF THE LINE! Saka whips another corner into the six-yard box and Martinez parries it instead of catching. It bounces off Watkins back, and Carlos is on the line once more to preserve Villa's clean sheet.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:46
Villa are making another change here. Tielemans is taken off, with Ramsey on in his place.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:46
Arsenal's high press is causing all sorts of problems here as Kamara is outmuscled by Martinelli on the edge of his own box. The ball bounces kindly towards Jesus, but Martinez rushes out to prevent a shot.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:42
Yellow Card Lucas Digne
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:42
Arsenal have only come back to win one of their last 21 Premier League away games in which they've trailed at half-time (D4 L16), although that one victory came in this exact fixture last season, winning 4-2 at Villa Park (1-2 at the break).
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:38
There are shouts from the home fans for a penalty now for a handball against Gabriel. McGinn's cross was poor, and the defender blocked it, but his arm was down by his side and the referee waves play on.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:37
Jesus is down in the box asking for a penalty after being caught by Luiz. Both players had their feet up to get the ball, and the midfielder caught him a little late. There's not much in it, and after a quick VAR check, there's still no spot-kick.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:34
Villa get us back under way for the second half!
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:34
Substitution Leon Patrick Bailey Butler Moussa Diaby
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:31
Since taking the early lead, Villa haven't been able to cause Arsenal too many problems. They have a great record when taking the lead though, as they haven't lost any of the last 20 Premier League games in which they've opened the scoring (W18 D2), winning each of the last nine in a row. Arteta clearly wasn't happy with how his side started the game, and he'll be looking for them to pick up where they left off to get back into this game.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:23
McGinn's early goal gives Villa a 1-0 lead over Arsenal at half-time. The hosts couldn't have asked for a better start to the game as Bailey's trickery helped to set McGinn up to rifle in the opener just seven minutes in. The game slowed a bit after that, but Arsenal started to find their rhythm after the half-hour mark. Martinez made important saves to keep out Saka, Odegaard and Jesus, while Martinelli saw a shot cleared off the line after drawing the keeper off his line and dinking it over him.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:19
HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:17
Saliba is being put under pressure by Watkins and plays a blind backpass that gives away an unnecessary corner. Bailey whips it into the near post but doesn't clear the first man again as White heads it away.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:16
Saka's first corner is flicked over the bar at the near post by Konsa, and Arsenal get another chance to whip it in. The second is curled straight into Martinez's gloves, but Rice feels he could've had a penalty as he goes down under pressure from Torres.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:14
GOOD SAVE! Zinchenko plays another good ball over the top, this time to pick out Jesus' run off the back of Carlos. He cuts inside before whipping a shot on goal, but Martinez stretches to push it away.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:12
SAVE! Jesus overruns the ball and touches it to Luiz in an attempt to make up for it. He works it through Tielemans to pick out Watkins, but his shot is smothered by Raya. The flag did go up against him, but the forward had timed his run.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:11
SAVE! Rice wins the ball back and sets Havertz away down the left. He surges forward before squaring it to Saka, and his deft touch sets Odegaard up nicely. He hits his low shot first time, but Martinez gets behind it.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:10
Villa are dropping deeper and deeper into their own half as Arsenal ramp up the pressure once more. Martinelli threatens to break down the left again, but Konsa clears his lines.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:08
OFF THE LINE! Martinelli times his run perfectly on the left to get on the end of the long ball, and the keeper rushes off his line. The Brazilian dinks it over him, but Carlos races across to clear it off the line.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:07
Arsenal are just starting to up the pressure now, with Villa struggling to get out of their own half. They look to Martinelli down the left once more, but his cross is behind Jesus.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:06
JUST WIDE! White takes the corner short to Saka, who shapes to cross only to square it to Odegaard. He knocks it past Torres before taking on the shot, but he drags it inches wide of the near post.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:03
SAVE! Villa just play themselves into trouble here, with Watkins cheaply gifting the ball to Odegaard. He slides it through to Saka, who takes the shot first time, but it's curled straight at Martinez.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
18:02
There's only been one shot on target in this game - McGinn's goal - and things are still fairly cagey here. Both sides are struggling to break their opponents down at the moment, as White's run is flagged for offside in Arsenal's latest attack.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:59
Yellow Card Oleksandr Zinchenko
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:59
There's a nervy moment at the back for Villa as it's knocked back to Martinez, who takes a heavy touch. None of the Arsenal players were putting pressure on though, so the keeper had the chance to coolly get things moving once more.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:56
Saka peels off the back of Digne in the box, and he draws Martinez out to the byline. The winger manages to pull it back into the middle, but luckily for the hosts, it's Carlos who meets it.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:55
The free-kick is about 30 yards out, and it's Digne who steps up. He curls his cross straight into the wall, and Luiz blasts his follow-up into the exact same place.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:53
Villa mount another good counter after soaking up a spell of Arsenal pressure, and Havertz tugs Tielemans' shirt. Villa have a free-kick in a good position here.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:50
Zinchenko is popping up all over the pitch, and this time he tries to thread it through the middle for Havertz to chase. Konsa just gets his body in front of the ball, and wins a free-kick when the German drags him down.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:48
Kamara is caught on the ball in the centre circle by Havertz, who quickly breaks on the counter. He unselfishly tees up Saka, who sees his shot blocked by Torres on the edge of the box.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:47
McGinn has scored four goals in the Premier League this season, his most in a single campaign in the competition. He only netted once in 34 league games for Villa last season.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:45
Arsenal are enjoying a good spell of possession here, but their final pass is just letting them down at the moment. Zinchenko played his too close to Martinez, while Rice's attempted throughball is too heavy for Saka.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:42
Just like against City on Wednesday, Villa aren't giving Arsenal a lot of time on the ball, and are closing down the space the visitors want to play through. Martinelli has another run down the wing, but takes it out of play.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:41
Arteta does not look happy up in the stands, but Arsenal are trying to get a quick response here. Martinelli pushes his way down the left once more, but the cross is poor this time as Carlos clears his lines.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:38
Assist Leon Patrick Bailey Butler
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:38
CHANCE! After soaking up a good spell of Villa pressure, Arsenal break quickly, and Saka goes for the big switch out to Martinelli on the left. He returns the favour, whipping a good cross to the far post, but Saka can't reach it properly on the stretch.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:35
Saliba and Watkins are challenging to bring a long pass down, and Raya comes up behind them to join in. He looks a little shaky as the ball slips through his gloves, but luckily for him, Villa can't pounce on the loose ball.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:34
Arsenal try to make a quick start to the game, but Havertz is dispossessed in the box. Villa work it straight down the other end to win a corner, but Bailey's cross is cleared at the near post by Jesus.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:33
Jesus gets the game under way for Arsenal!
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:29
The teams are out on the pitch now, with kick-off just moments away!
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:29
There's just one change by Arsenal from their win over Luton last time out. Zinchenko comes in at left-back for Kiwior, who drops to the bench. They will also be without Mikel Arteta on the touchline after he picked up his third booking of the season during the celebrations on Tuesday.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:24
Unsurprisingly, Unai Emery sticks with the same starting line-up that blew City away on Wednesday. Bailey, who scored the winner in that game, has shaken off the issue that forced him off late on to retain his place.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:20
ARSENAL SUBS: Reuell Walters, Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale, Cedric Soares, Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:20
ARSENAL STARTING XI (4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:16
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Matty Cash, Jacob Ramsey, Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, Alex Moreno, Filip Marschall, Jhon Duran, Leander Dendoncker, Clement Lenglet.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:12
ASTON VILLA STARTING XI (4-4-1-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Leon Bailey, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn; Youri Tielemans; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:08
Arsenal were the last side to come away from Villa Park with three points after their 4-2 win back in February. They're in good form themselves and they're looking to go back to the top of the table with another victory here after Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace earlier today. They've won their last six on the bounce in all competitions, extending that run in dramatic fashion as Declan Rice's stoppage-time goal snatched a 4-3 win over Luton Town on Tuesday.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:04
It's been a stellar season for Villa so far, and they're looking to close the gap to the top of the table with another win here. They've lost just one of their last 13 games in all competitions (W10 D2), but it's their home form that is turning a lot of heads. Their dominant 1-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday saw them leapfrog Pep Guardiola's side into third and extend their winning run at home in the league to 14 games - they've never before in their history won 15 consecutive games on home soil.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
17:04
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League meeting between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
16:30
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
