Arsenal back to winning ways against dull Aston Villa

Arsenal moved into the top half of the Premier League for the first time this season, as they returned to winning ways with a well-earned 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on Friday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side had been held in back-to-back games but Friday’s win seemed a definite one after Thomas Partey deservedly headed them in front with his first goal for the club.

Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added a second just before half-time from a rebound after Emiliano Martinez had rebounded his penalty, which was awarded after VAR intervened on Alexander Lacazette’s foul in the 18-yard box.

Emile Smith Rowe further extended Arsenal’s lead before Villa substitute Jacob Ramsey pulled one back late on, as the Gunners stretched their unbeaten league run to six matches and condemned Dean Smith’s side to a third loss on the bounce.

Emile Smith-Rowe celebrates after scoring the third for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Friday 22. | PHOTO: 90 mins |

Aubameyang had a goal rightly ruled out for an Alexandre Lacazette foul in the build-up and Partey turned a shot against the crossbar in a dominant start from Arsenal.

The hosts deservedly took the lead with 23 minutes played, when Partey got away from John McGinn and guided Smith Rowe’s corner past Martinez.

Former Arsenal keeper Martinez produced a fine save to deny Bukayo Saka from a one-on-one on the half-hour mark, but he was beaten for a second time from the penalty spot right at the end of the first half.

After being asked to check the pitchside monitor, Craig Pawson adjudged Matt Targett went through the back of Lacazette to win the ball and Aubameyang fired past Martinez at the second attempt after his former teammate kept out the initial spot-kick.

Villa squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Wolves last week, but any hopes of a comeback of their own were extinguished by a Smith Rowe strike that deflected in off Tyrone Mings.

Ramsey curled a delightful shot past Aaron Ramsdale eight minutes from time following some nice play from fellow substitute Leon Bailey, though that proved nothing more than a consolation.

Arsenal will be back in action on Tuesday when they host Leeds United for a Carabao Cup clash before making a Premier League trip to Leicester on Saturday. Villa on their side will not be in action for the next eight days, their next match will be a home match to West Ham United in a Premier League clash.