Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on February 6, 2021 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan conceded 74 seconds into his debut for Arsenal as Aston Villa completed their first top-flight double over the Gunners for 28 years.
Former Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez started the move which led to Bertrand Traore pouncing on a mistake by Cedric Soares before Ollie Watkins scored with a shot that deflected off Rob Holding.
Boyhood Gunners fan Ryan, signed on loan from Brighton in January and starting in place of suspended first-choice keeper Bernd Leno, produced a fine save to deny Traore a goal on his return to the Villa side.
𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗘 𝗗𝗨𝗕𝗕𝗕𝗕𝗕𝗕! 🙌
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 6, 2021
The lads defended for their lives and the reward is all three points! 💜#AVLARS pic.twitter.com/Jz2ztbkgvW
Martinez frustrated his former club further when the Argentine produced an excellent save to keep out Granit Xhaka's free-kick.
Villa move up to eighth in the Premier League with Arsenal in 10th.
