Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa - PLAYER RATINGS: Leandro Trossard starred for the hosts but who set the tone for the visitors? And who looked hungry?
- Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa at the Emirates on Saturday
- The Gunners are looking to cut the deficit to Liverpool at the top of the table
- LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Are Everton where they deserve to be or are the club's fans delusional?
Arsenal were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, despite taking a two-goal lead.
The Gunners went in 1-0 up at the break after Gabriel Martinelli prodded past Emiliano Martinez from close range, with Kai Havertz netting after the break to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
However, with Villa notably breaking Arsenal hearts at the Emirates last term, Youri Tielemans began the comeback with a header from inside the box to make it 2-1.
Ollie Watkins, who grew up supporting Arsenal, then drew the visitors level with an emphatic first-time finish to set up a tense final phase of the game.
Arsenal pressed Villa back and built up the phases outside the penalty area, but couldn't quite pick the lock, Unai Emery once again frustrating his former side.
Here, Mail Sport's ISAAN KHAN runs the rule over the star performers from Saturday's clash, and those who perhaps could have contributed more for their sides.
Kai Havertz had given Arsenal a 2-0 lead after Gabriel Martinelli's opener before the break
Youri Tielemans got one goal back before Ollie Watkins levelled the tie from close range
Mikel Arteta's side were once again frustrated by Unai Emery and Aston Villa in their title hunt
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
DAVID RAYA: 6
Kept alert for the Aston Villa counter-attacks, spearheaded by Ollie Watkins.
Conceded twice.
THOMAS PARTEY: 5.5
Did well to break up play but gifted Watkins with a chance vs Raya early on — and then left the striker alone to convert Matty Cash’s cross.
JURRIEN TIMBER: 6
Slotted in at a centre back which is an unfamiliar position for the full back. It was a tall order.
Thomas Partey disrupted play but left Watkins alone to score Aston Villa's equalising goal
Jurrien Timber had to slot in at centre back rather than his regular position out on the flanks
GABRIEL: 6.5
Marshalled the defence well and kept alert in a high backline.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY: 6.5
Another assured display by the teenager. Crunching first-half tackle on Morgan Rogers set the tone. Provided a quality cross on 49 minutes which should have been converted.
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 6
Nice play on the ball but little success in end product.
DECLAN RICE: 6.5
Got stuck in, in the midfield battle. Powerful shot on 74 minutes skewed wide.
Arsenal's teenage left back Myles Lewis-Skelly put in yet another assured performance
Captain Martin Odegaard struggled to weave his usual magic in the final third of the pitch
MIKEL MERINO: 6.5
Beaten by Youri Tielemans to the ball for his goal. But his strike off Kai Havertz was ruled out for handball, and then he struck a post late on.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 7
Looked hungry and kept pushing his side’s play forward. Nice finish to poke home Trossard’s cross.
KAI HAVERTZ: 6.5
Got himself in and around the goal. Scored off a Trossard cross.
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 8
Two wonderful assists to put his side on contention. Arsenal’s man of the match.
Leandro Trossard was the hosts' best player with both assists for the two Arsenal goals
Manager – MIKEL ARTETA: 6
Will be bitterly disappointed to drop points in a match which his side had plenty of chances in.
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1):
EMILIANO MARTINEZ: 5.5
Should have saved Havertz’s effort and his initial save on Martinelli’s effort, which ended up in the goal, was not strong enough.
MATTY CASH: 6.5
Top assist to set up Watkins’ goal.
Redeemed some of his earlier struggles in defence.
Emiliano Martinez should have done better for both goals and was not strong enough
EZRI KONSA: 6
Caught out a couple of times but hung in there.
TYRONE MINGS: 6.5
His pace come to the fore when tracking back.
IAN MAATSEN: 6
Had joy early on in his forays forward. Defensively he left some gaps for the opposition to exploit.
BOUBACAR KAMARA: 7
A top second half. Lots of energy and desire to break up play. An important cog in the middle for Villa.
Boubacar Kamara had a brilliant second half and was an important cog in the middle for Villa
AMADOU ONANA: 6.5
Was looking promising but substituted on 37 minutes because of injury.
MORGAN ROGERS: 7
Looked sprightly and kept the Arsenal defence on edge. It was his work that often set the tone for Villa attacks.
YOURI TIELEMANS: 7.5
Great diving headed goal, beating Merino, before striking a post two minutes later. Game-changing performance.
JACOB RAMSEY: 6.5
Enjoyed getting on the ball. Upped the tempo at times.
Tielemens put in a game-changing performance, scoring the goal to turn the tide for Villa
OLLIE WATKINS: 7
Reliant on counter-attacks but struck a well-taken goal. Arsenal could not switch off with him around.
Manager – UNAI EMERY: 6.5
His team stayed in there, even when it looked like the game could be getting away.
Referee – CHRIS KAVANAGH: 6
