Bukayo Saka’s close-range finish shortly before the hour mark proved decisive as Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory at Villa Park.
Riccardo Calafiori delivered a cutback that the England winger converted into a virtually unguarded net, registering the match’s first shot on target.
The goal had been preceded by VAR drama. Arsenal were initially awarded a penalty after Ian Maatsen brought down Saka, but replays revealed the foul had occurred just outside the area, downgrading the decision to a free-kick.
Villa had their own moment of fortune in the opening period. Emiliano Buendia struck the crossbar, though the effort would likely have been chalked off regardless, with Boubacar Kamara appearing to commit a foul in the build-up.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the match
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Kai Havertz later tested debutant goalkeeper Zion Suzuki as Arsenal sought to extend their advantage.
Arsenal’s watertight rearguard continues to underpin their title defence. The clean sheet at Villa Park followed a 3-0 Community Shield triumph over Manchester City and an identical scoreline against Coventry on the opening weekend.
It was defensive excellence, rather than attacking firepower, that drove Mikel Arteta’s side to their first championship in 22 years last season.
The PFA’s Premier League team of the year reflected as much, with David Raya and three of his backline colleagues earning selection.
Even against a well-organised Unai Emery outfit — considerably improved from their 4-0 defeat to Brighton a week earlier — Arsenal remained resolute.
Ezri Konsa made his Arsenal debut against his former side
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Villa pressed for a leveller but the visitors withstood eight minutes of added time without conceding.
Early signs suggest the champions will be equally parsimonious this campaign.
Villa’s transformation since lifting the Europa League trophy in Istanbul has been staggering. Six players who started that final have departed in what amounts to one of the most dramatic squad overhauls in recent memory, all carried out with Emery’s full endorsement.
The scale of rebuilding was evident in the new faces on show. Nicolas Jackson, a £65m arrival from Chelsea, was handed his first start but must demonstrate he represents an improvement on Ollie Watkins.
Between the posts, £30m recruit Suzuki replaced Emi Martinez but endured an uncomfortable introduction, misjudging a Declan Rice corner badly, though Gabriel Magalhaes failed to capitalise.
Back-to-back defeats leave Villa pointless, and bedding in so many newcomers simultaneously will demand patience from supporters.
Mikel Arteta’s side are the ones to beat this season and have started in fine form
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Bruno Guimaraes came off the bench in the second half to make his Premier League bow for Arsenal, adding midfield quality to a side that have already invested £164m this summer.
Ezri Konsa also entered as a substitute against the club where he made his name. The defender received a warm reception from the Villa faithful on his return to Villa Park.
Emery turned to his own new arrivals in search of an equaliser, introducing Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from the bench. Neither could alter the trajectory of the contest.
The result lifts Arsenal to six points from two matches. For Villa, hosting their first league fixture since the North Stand rebuild began, the search for a first win of the season goes on.
