Arsenal breaks Aston Villa curse

Arsenal continued their strong start to the Premier League season with a crucial 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park. With Jurriën Timber making his first start of the season, the Gunners managed to overcome a significant hurdle that had troubled them last season. The win marks a key moment for Mikel Arteta's side, who are determined to challenge for the title this year.

Timber returns to the starting XI

Jurriën Timber, who recently made a brief appearance as a substitute, was handed a starting role by Mikel Arteta, playing on the left side of defense. The 23-year-old Dutchman was preferred over Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ricardo Calafiori, marking his first Premier League start since recovering from a severe knee injury. Timber's inclusion highlighted Arteta's trust in his versatility and defensive prowess, as Arsenal looked to solidify their backline against a formidable Aston Villa side.

A difficult start against a tough opponent

Aston Villa, who finished fourth last season, presented a stiff challenge for Arsenal. Ollie Watkins was a constant threat to the Arsenal defense, coming close to scoring on multiple occasions. In the first half, Watkins missed a golden opportunity after Leon Bailey dispossessed Gabriel Magalhães. His best chance came in the 54th minute when he headed a rebound towards goal after Amadou Onana's deflected shot struck the crossbar. However, Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya reacted quickly to make an exceptional save, denying Watkins once again.

Trossard’s impact and Saka’s influence

Up until that point, Arsenal had struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Kai Havertz’s shot being the closest they had come to scoring. Recognizing the need for a change, Arteta introduced Leandro Trossard in the 65th minute, a decision that would prove decisive. Just two minutes after entering the pitch, Trossard found himself in the right place at the right time. Bukayo Saka, who had been influential in Arsenal’s opening win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, made a driving run down the wing, delivering a ball that eventually fell to Trossard. The Belgian calmly slotted it home, breaking the deadlock and putting Arsenal ahead 1-0.

A much-needed victory over a persistent foe

The relief among the Arsenal players was palpable. Last season, Aston Villa had twice defeated the Gunners, results that ultimately cost them in the title race against Manchester City. This time, Arsenal was determined not to repeat those mistakes. Their lead was doubled just 15 minutes later when Thomas Partey finished off a well-worked move, again involving Saka. After receiving the ball from Saka’s layoff, Partey curled a shot into the near post, securing a 2-0 victory and putting the game beyond Villa’s reach.