Japan’s Zion Suzuki made Premier League history but Bukayo Saka sank Aston Villa

Aston Villa vs Arsenal (Photo Reuters) Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season. Bukayo Saka’s second-half goal proved to be enough in a tight contest where both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances.Villa started well, Emiliano Buendia hitting the crossbar from distance, but Arsenal gradually took control and finished the first half the stronger. New Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki also made history as the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the Premier League.Arsenal thought they had won a penalty early in the second half when Saka went down following a challenge from Ian Maatsen, but a VAR review changed the decision to a free-kick.The breakthrough finally found Sak in the 59th minute. Finished from close range after good work from Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori.

The villa is awaiting a demanding reconstruction

The result leaves Arsenal in the top four with six points from their opening two games. Villa, meanwhile, remain without a point and are yet to register a shot on target this season.Manager Unai Emery has a big rebuilding job ahead of him after more than half the players who started Villa’s Europa Cup final in May left. Nicolas Jackson and Suzuki were among the new arrivals to start against Arsenal.Despite Villa’s energetic start and Arsenal’s second-half pressure, neither side managed to dominate for long, with clear opportunities at a premium. In the end, Saka’s goal was enough for another hard-fought victory for the defending champions.