Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal: Premier League Player Ratings

Aston Villa

Brad Guzan: Not to blame for either of the goals and otherwise made straightforward saves. 5/10. Ron Vlaar: Massive tackle on Monreal in the box at 2-0 down. Villa captain was prepared to step out of defence, but his gritty work is what he's best at. 5/10. Nathan Baker: Gnarby shot hit him full in the face. Stretchered off on 20 minutes after lengthy treatment. Rating N/A. Ciaran Clark: Dragged out by Giroud for the second Gunners goal. The chopping and changing between left and centre back is not helping this Irish lad. 4/10. Matthew Lowton: Monreal was a thorn in his side here, but assisted Benteke goal with a decent cross. 5/10. Karim El Ahmadi: Booked for fouling Wilshere very early on and failed to stop his midfield run for the first goal. Subbed. 4.5/10. Ashley Westwood: Long range effort stung the palms of Szczesny midway through second half. Adequate from the Villa midfielder. 5/10. Fabian Delph: Scuffed a shot wide early on. Caught in possession by Wilshere in the build-up to the second Arsenal goal. Saw a low drive saved by Szczesny at 2-1. 5/10. Antonio Luna: Left wingback was totally anonymous and peripheral to this match. You wonder why Lambert persists with the Spaniard. 3/10. Christian Benteke: The goal drought is out after 11 without. Good target man today, but finally produced predatory threat when he headed in Lowton's cross with 15 minutes left. A reward for labouring up front and could've levelled late on, but tame header straight at Szczesny. 6/10. Gabriel Agbonlahor: Made a nuisance of himself both centrally and in wide areas. Booked for tripping Rosicky. 5.5/10. Subs: Leandro Bacuna: Came on after 20 minutes for injured Baker. Worked Szczesny early in the second half. Yet to nail down a position either right back, in midfield or on the flank. 5/10. Andreas Weimann: Given 20 minutes off the bench, but in Benteke's shadow. 4.5/10.