How did match-winner Saka do? Aston Villa v Arsenal ratings

Figure caption,

Saka earns Arsenal hard-fought win at Aston Villa

ByNick MashiterFootball reporterandAlex HowellFootball reporter
  • Published

Bukayo Saka's goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

Here's how BBC Sport rated the players, and how you rated them.

Aston Villa starting XI

Zion Suzuki: A debut for the £30m goalkeeper from Parma who had no chance with the opening goal. Misjudged his first corner but his distribution caught the eye and will be useful this season. 7

Matty Cash: His usual solid display and got the better of Christos Tzolis, who was replaced at the break. 6

Pau Torres: Helped keep Arsenal at bay until they broke the deadlock in the second half. 6

Victor Lindelof: The Sweden international diligently tried to keep Arsenal in check. Has not let Villa down since arriving on a free transfer. 6

Ian Maatsen: With new signing Matteo Ruggeri on the bench, he has competition and had his hands full with Bukayo Saka, and was beaten to the ball for the goal. 6

Boubacar Kamara: The midfielder is so crucial to how Villa play and he offered an important shield to frustrate the Gunners until Saka's opener. 7

Ross Barkley: The former Everton youngster has been given a second chance at Villa as they rebuild and tried to keep the hosts flowing. 6

John McGinn: The skipper drilled over and was his usual energetic self as Villa tried to unsettle Arsenal and did not drop his energy levels. 6

Emi Buendia: The Argentina international hit the bar early and was a good creative outlet for the hosts but could not find the killer touch. 6

George Hemmings: Villa rate the 19-year-old highly and he showed no fear against the champions. He threatened in the first half, especially with one low cross. 7

Nicolas Jackson: The £65m record signing will take time as he replaces Ollie Watkins but showed flashes of what he can bring. 6

Subs:

Tammy Abraham (on 71, Jackson): Included despite Ipswich trying to take him on loan, but could not find a leveller. 6

Alysson (on 71, Hemmings): Winger looked lively in second-half cameo. 6

Alejandro Garnacho (on 78, Barkley): Could not provide late magic. 5

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (on 78, Cash): Debut appearance came late on. 5

Subs not used: Bizot, Bogarde, Lynch, Mings, Ruggeri

Arsenal starting XI

Bukayo Saka runs off in celebration of his goal, followed by Declan RiceImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Bukayo Saka scored in the second half to give Arsenal the lead

David Raya: A reliable display from Raya. A good range of passing. 6

Ben White: He didn't produce his usual overlapping runs as much but helped the Arsenal back four keep a clean sheet. 6

Cristhian Mosquera: The 22-year-old produced a solid performance next to the more experienced Gabriel. Had to come off with an injury in the second half. 6

Gabriel Magalhaes: A chance early on from an Arsenal corner which he headed over. The Brazilian led the Arsenal back four as they picked up three points. 7

Riccardo Calafiori: Picked up his usual adventurous positions when Arsenal were going forward and provided the assist for Saka's goal. 8

Declan Rice: Assured in the middle of the pitch and covered a lot of ground. Some important interceptions and threatening set-pieces too. 6

Myles Lewis-Skelly: Continued his excellent start-of-season form. Comfortable when under pressure and played with a lot of responsibility. 7

Martin Odegaard: A couple of nice passes in the first half but not enough impact going forward. Went close with a free-kick in the second half. 6

Bukayo Saka: The winger scored the vital goal for Arsenal. The Gunners were not at their best going forward but most of the good moments involved Saka. 8

Christos Tzolis: A disappointing night for the winger who worked hard but lacked quality when going forward. Taken off at half-time. 4

Kai Havertz: It was a quiet night for Havertz but the forward still provided a focal point and held the ball up. 6

Subs:

Eberechi Eze (on 46, Tzolis): Introduced at half-time and played a big part in Saka's goal. 7

Merino (on 71, Odegaard): Added bite into the Arsenal midfield. 6

Bruno Guimaraes (on 71, Lewis-Skelly): On for his Arsenal Premier League debut. 6

Ezri Konsa (on 78, Mosquera): Made first appearance for his new club. 6

Martin Zubimendi (on 85, Rice): Came on for Rice as Arsenal looked to see out the game. 5

Subs not used: Kepa, Hincapie, Gyokeres, Madueke.

How did you rate the players?

Player of the match

Number: 33 R. Calafiori
Average rating 7.41
Number: 1 Z. Suzuki
Average Rating: 6.28
Number: 2 M. Cash
Average Rating: 5.77
Number: 10 E. Buendía
Average Rating: 5.69
Number: 7 J. McGinn
Average Rating: 5.62
Number: 14 Pau Torres
Average Rating: 5.62
Number: 6 R. Barkley
Average Rating: 5.60
Number: 11 N. Jackson
Average Rating: 5.60
Number: 3 V. Lindelöf
Average Rating: 5.57
Number: 8 B. Kamara
Average Rating: 5.54
Number: 22 I. Maatsen
Average Rating: 5.51
Number: 53 G. Hemmings
Average Rating: 5.42
Number: 29 A. Wan-Bissaka
Average Rating: 5.40
Number: 47 Alysson
Average Rating: 5.12
Number: 18 T. Abraham
Average Rating: 4.83
Number: 17 A. Garnacho
Average Rating: 4.53

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.