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Emi Martínez: 9/10
A solid display for the goalkeeper playing against his former club. A showing of character and determination adding yet another clean sheet to a fantastic first season in claret and blue.
His excellent distribution led to Villa scoring the first goal of the game in the first minute, which gave the goalkeeper a platform to protect, and protect is what he did, putting his body on the line to come and claim numerous crosses whilst making a top draw save to deny Granit Xhaka from a well struck free-kick bound for the top corner.
Matty Cash: 9/10
The right-back showed his versatility with his attacking quality and his defensive responsibility both on display on this occasion. He kept Arsenal front man, Pepe, at bay; resorting him to pot shots and not allowing him to cut inside and have a shot.
Ezri Konsa: 8/10
A resilient display allowed the young defender to showcase his defending, stretching beyond his years. Konsa has an air of quality about him and you would not be mistaken for thinking he had been a premier league defender for many, many years.
The only negative centres around the yellow he saw after making a last man challenge near the by-line. A challenge that has begged the question, was the referee incorrect with this one?
Tyrone Mings: 9/10
A man of the match display from the centre-back, silencing any doubters in the best way possible. He managed to keep Arsenal striker Lacazette quiet with no real difficulty, subsequently seeing the front man substituted.
Matt Targett: 8/10
A good display from the left-back, proving why he is such a reliable asset to Dean Smith’s side. A real defensive solidarity shown, aiding Villa to another clean sheet.
Marvelous Nakamba: 7/10
The Zimbabwean midfielder came in to replace a fatigued Douglas Luiz and he managed to preserve the influence the Brazilian normally holds within the squad. He managed to anchor the back four in good fashion whilst putting his body on the line.
John McGinn: 8/10
The Scottish box-to-box midfielder was the link between defence and attack, often being the man looked upon to drive the team forward. A performance in which he looked to be back to his best after a few previous disappointing performances.
Ross Barkley: 7/10
The Chelsea loanee endured a standard display, sat just behind front man, Ollie Watkins. Smith clearly didn’t believe it was one of his best displays after he was the first player to make way for the bench, which he certainly wasn’t happy with!
Bertrand Traoré: 8/10
Another influential performance from the wide man who had a hand in the first and only goal of the game. Inside the second minute, his quick thinking was enough to win a loose ball after a lack of communication between the Arsenal defence; claiming another assist from a deflected Ollie Watkins strike.
Jack Grealish: 8/10
A rare game where the Aston Villa captain failed to record any goals or assists, however, in a game that lacked any clear cut chances, the England International still managed to create space and moved the ball forward. He took the ball from the defence and subsequently eased the Arsenal pressure towards our goal.
Ollie Watkins: 9/10
The front man enjoyed another good day in front of goal, where he maintained a run of three goals in three consecutive games. He could have had more as well as he drew a number of smart saves from Arsenal debutant, Matty Ryan.