Arsenal fans taunt Martinez as Villa keeper helps Gunners on way to victory

Villa’s Martinez – the top-ranked No.1 in the world, according to FIFA – got a hand to Partey’s routine shot from 18 yards in the 77th minute but couldn’t prevent it entering the net after substitute Leandro Trossard scored with his first touch 10 minutes earlier.

The three points ensured Mikel Arteta’s side stayed perfect through the first week of the season, all without conceding a goal. They are third but joint top of the early Premier League table on goal difference with champions Manchester City and Brighton.

The defeat was hard on Villa, who looked the more likely scorers and hit the bar before Arsenal’s late show.

Bukayo Saka, who assisted for both goals, went close to giving Arsenal the lead in the 15th minute. The England forward cut inside and curled a low effort that looked to be creeping into the far corner of the net until Martinez diverted it behind.

Villa wasted a golden chance to go ahead themselves in the 25th minute, Gabriel was caught napping at the back and the busy Morgan Rogers forced him into a mistake then squared for Ollie Watkins.

But with goalkeeper David Raya to beat, the unmarked England striker – watched by Three Lions interim head coach Lee Carsley – rolled his first-time shot just wide from 12 yards.

There was a flashpoint just after the half hour which sparked a brief melee between both sets of players. Villa captain John McGinn blasted the ball at Arsenal defender William Saliba as he lay grounded after outmuscling Watkins. Frenchman Saliba furiously confronted McGinn, who was shovelled out of the way to safety by Saka as tempers rose. Perhaps sensibly, referee Michael Oliver opted to keep his cards in his pocket.

Villa missed a double chance to take the lead in the 54th minute but really it was all down to some quite brilliant goalkeeping by Raya, who showed off stunning reflexes. Amadou Onana’s shot initially deflected off Gabriel, looped up and hit the bar bouncing out to Watkins who dived to head in the rebound. However Raya sprang to his left and made a breath-taking stop to push the ball away.

Rogers then left Martinelli and Partey in a heap in a powerful surge forward before his placed curling shot was deflected wide off Jurrien Timber.

Unai Emery’s side now had the upper hand, and Ezri Konsa’s volleyed cross ended up just the wrong side of the post from Lucas Digne’s free kick.

But Trossard came in and struck decisively for Arsenal with his first touch as he converted Saka’s cross after the unfortunate Rogers helped the ball into his path. The Belgium midfielder had replaced Martinelli just two minutes earlier.

Martinez was at fault as Partey made it 2-0 with a first-time shot that the stopper got a good left hand to but couldn’t prevent it crossing the line after Saka again pulled the ball back.

After facing some tricky times against Villa during last season’s title charge, this was surely a satisfying way for Arteta’s side to right some of those wrongs.

Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez 6; Cash 6 (Nedelijkovic 15, 6), Konsa 7, Pau 6, Digne 6 (Maatsen 76, 6); Onana 7 (Barkley 76, 6), Tielemans 6; Bailey 5, Rogers 7, McGinn 7 (Ramsey 65, 6); Watkins 6 (Duran, 65, 6).

Subs not used: Gauci, Carlos, Buendia, Philogene.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya 6; White 6, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Timber 6 (Calafiori 79); Partey 7, Odegaard 7; Rice 7; Saka 8 (Nelson 87, 6), Havertz 6, Martinelli 6 (Trossard 65, 7).

Subs not used: Ramsdale, Nketiah, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Nwaneri.

Referee: Michael Oliver 7