Arsenal avenge April loss as Trossard and Partey sink Aston Villa at Villa Park

The Gunners were looking to avenge April's defeat to Villa, which ultimately cost them their first title in 20 years, and dominated the early minutes of the contest.

Fresh from signing a new long-term deal at Villa Park, Emi Martinez was twice called upon to deny his former employers but it was Ollie Watkins who missed the best chance of the half for the hosts.

David Raya's heroics at one end of the pitch allowed Trossard to put Arsenal in front before Partey rounded off a clinical second-half display.

Arsenal posed the first threat of the contest as Gabriel Martinelli broke down the right, the initial cross from Bukayo Saka was nervously parried by Martinez but the Argentine was on hand to catch Declan Rice's follow-up effort.

Early injuries to Amadou Onana and Matty Cash made for a stop-start opening few minutes, with the latter replaced by Kosta Nedeljkovic just 16 minutes in.

Arsenal created the lion's share of opportunities but it was Villa who ought to have taken the lead midway through the half.

Gabriel was caught napping by Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers took control and put it on a plate for Watkins, who scuffed wide of the target in front of the posts.

Rogers looked the most menacing for the home side and decided to do things himself as he burst through the Arsenal midfield but a tame effort allowed Raya to gather.

The visitors had goalkeeper Raya to thank for not going a goal down 10 minutes into the second half.

Onana received the ball and decided to let fly from 20 yards with an effort that deflected off Saliba onto the crossbar and Watkins' header on the rebound was heroically stopped by the Spaniard to keep it goalless.

For all of Villa's dominance, they were punished for their missed chances midway through the second half.

Saka broke down the right and popped a ball into Trossard who fired into the bottom corner with his first touch after rising off the bench.

Arsenal made it two 10 minutes later, Saka once again the playmaker as he teed up Partey to strike low — with Martinez only able to parry it into the goal to hand Arsenal the points.