Arsenal made it back-to-back wins to open their Premier League campaign, edging out Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park on Monday night thanks to a second-half strike from Bukayo Saka.

The only goal of the game arrived in the 59th minute when Saka combined with Riccardo Calafiori to break the deadlock and send the travelling Gunners fans into raptures.

It proved to be the decisive moment in a contest that had earlier seen Villa denied a penalty shout involving Saka in the 55th minute, with the referee’s decision to wave away the appeal for a foul on Emiliano Buendía standing after review.

Villa had chances of their own, particularly through Buendía, who was denied by a smart save in the 12th minute, but they struggled to build on those early sparks and were made to pay for their lack of a cutting edge in front of goal.

The hosts finished the match with the higher fouls count, picking up three yellow cards to Arsenal’s one, with Christos Tzolis, Aaron Edward and John McGinn all cautioned for fouls, while Ian Maatsen was also booked late on. Both sides made heavy use of their substitutes’ bench, with Arsenal bringing on the likes of Mikel Merino, Declan Rice and Alejandro Garnacho as they managed the game out.

Statistically, Arsenal dominated proceedings, enjoying 61 percent of possession and completing 462 passes at an 87 percent success rate compared to Villa’s 272 completions.

Despite Villa’s seven total shots to Arsenal’s five, only two of the visitors’ efforts were needed on target to make the breakthrough count.

The result lifts Arsenal to a perfect start, while Unai Emery’s Villa will look to regroup before their next fixture.