Bukayo Saka's second-half goal gave champions Arsenal a 1-0 win at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday with making it two wins from two matches.
Saka scored from close range in the 59th minute and rewarding a patient Arsenal side that controlled the game without dominating a determined Villa defence. Villa's best chance came in the first half when Emi Buendia's shot hit the crossbar.
The win lifted Arsenal to six points, level with Manchester City, Hull City and Chelsea. Villa remain pointless and goalless that adding pressure ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Just as they did en route to last season's title, Arsenal relied on defensive solidity to grind out the result. After a VAR review overturned a penalty for Saka, the forward pounced on Riccardo Calafiori's low cross, set up by substitute Eberechi Eze to score the winner. Villa failed to register a shot on target for the second straight match.
"This was a massive win. We deserved it a great squad performance" said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, marking his 151st Premier League win in 250 matches in charge.
New signings Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa made their Premier League debuts for Arsenal off the bench. For Villa boss Unai Emery who has overseen an exodus of key players including Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez, the performance was an improvement after last week's heavy defeat to Brighton.
"We competed well against the title favourites. We are rebuilding, but there were positives" Emery said.
Villa face Hull City on Saturday while Arsenal host high-scoring Chelsea on Sunday.
