Player Ratings: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa - Goals from Jesus and Martinelli cancel out Douglas Luiz’s corner goal

Emiliano Martínez: 3/10

A difficult return to The Emirates Stadium for the Argentine goalkeeper who could’ve done better for both the Arsenal goals, ultimately costing his side a point. The number one looked nervous all game long, never looking settled between the sticks.

Matty Cash: 5/10

The Polish full-back had a tough day up against the tricky Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian winger often got the better of Cash down the Arsenal left, and of course scored the winning goal with Villa’s number two not tracking his man at the back-post.

Ezri Konsa: 4/10

Another poor away performance from Ezri Konsa in the Aston Villa defence, who looked on edge and panicked up against the classy Gabriel Jesus. Konsa failed to deal with a lot that the number nine threw at him, but did make a couple of decisive blocks in the first-half.

Tyrone Mings: 5/10

Returning back to the side, Tyrone Mings put in a reasonably good performance in the capital. The occasional slip-up within the first quarter of the game will not tarnish a solid display from the former captain, who was could not do anything to prevent Jesus from tapping in the rebound for the opening goal.

Lucas Digne: 4/10

The French full-back had a demanding evening up against a flamboyant Bukayo Saka. The young winger often outwitted his opponent, and created plenty down the Arsenal wing including the cross for the game-winning strike. Going forward, Digne was disappointing, and was unable to put in a convincing cross into the box.

Boubacar Kamara: 5/10

The best of a really poor bunch in the black and yellow midfield; an area of the pitch that was ultimately the away side’s downfall on the night. Kamara put himself about and made some important challenges throughout, but The Gunners’ central trio frequently outclassed the 22 year-old.

John McGinn: 4/10

Villa’s captain certainly looked energetic on the field, but to no avail. The Scotsman put his mark on the game quickly with some early challenges, but this quickly tired the number seven and he was easily beaten by the likes of Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka from then on.

Jacob Ramsey: 5/10

A really tough first-half for Jacob Ramsey who was ultimately a passenger in the midfield during the first-half showing. The young midfielder was physically well-beaten against Arsenal’s middle men, but seemed to improve further into the second-half showing a willingness to drive with the ball.

Leon Bailey: 7/10

Arguably The Villan’s best performer on the night, and was comfortably the most creative player in the side. Bailey looked fit and hungry to produce, but the rigid shape of Arsenal prevented the Jamaican from finding space and freedom in behind. A fine stop from ‘keeper Aaron Ramsdale stopped Bailey from scoring his Premier League goal after an impressive run.

Emiliano Buendía: 5/10

A quiet and dull evening for the little Argentine play-maker, who was rarely involved. It is clear that Aston Villa’s record signing cannot be utilised from the left-hand side of a forward three. The number ten saw far more of the ball and looked a brighter spark when given more freedom in the middle of the park.

Ollie Watkins: 5/10

Another player who saw very little of the ball in the opening 45 minutes. The forward fought hard, but defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel Maghalães go the better of him on the night. The number eleven failed to register a troublesome effort on goal, with the Arsenal backline keeping strong to deny the 26 year-old.

SUBSTITUTES:

Dougls Luiz (72 mins): 7/10

The Brazilian midfielder once again changed the game when coming on with 20 minutes to go. His first involvement ended in success, replicating last week’s fine strike against Bolton Wanderers after scoring directly from a corner. The 24 year-old has been rumoured with a move away from the club this week, but has been impactful when called upon this season.

Philippe Coutinho (72 mins): 5/10

The former Barcelona attacking midfielder appeared to enter the fray with a point to prove and looked lively on the ball. However, the summer recruit could not create an opportunity for the forward line and ultimately disappointed in possession.

Danny Ings (83 mins): N/A

Replacing midfielder Boubacar Kamara with ten minutes to spare, Danny Ings could not get a touch on the ball or a grip on the game. The number nine worked hard off the ball, but it was too little too late for the former Southampton striker.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Leon Bailey

Making his return back to the starting eleven, Leon Bailey was easily the best of a bad bunch in the Aston Villa team. The 25 year-old forward showed tidy footwork and a hunger to get the better of his primary opponent on the night: Kieran Tierney. The Jamaican posed the most threat in the side during this Wednesday night clash, and was unlucky not to find his name on the scoresheet mid-way through the second-half.

Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images