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Bukayo Saka’s second-half goal helped Arsenal beat Aston Villa 1-0 in their first away Premier League match of the season.

The Gunners began the defence of their title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Coventry City on the opening night of the new campaign. A demanding visit to Villa Park at the end of the second weekend was always expected to be a sterner test. Even so, Mikel Arteta’s side came away with the same outcome — three more points.

The opening half was well below its best in terms of quality. Zion Suzuki was not seriously tested during his first 45 minutes in goal for Villa. At the other end, David Raya too was largely a spectator before the interval. Emi Buendia struck the crossbar from distance early on, and that proved to be the closest either team came in the first half.

Even then, Arteta would not have been entirely displeased. His side controlled possession at a ground that is usually difficult for visiting teams, but they lacked the sharpness needed to create clear openings. Arsenal’s attacking frustration was evident when Christos Tzolis was booked for a challenge on Matty Cash. The Greece international was then taken off at half-time, with Eberechi Eze introduced in his place.

That interval change appeared to have the desired effect for the visitors, who looked instantly better in attacking areas.

Not even ten minutes into the second half, Arsenal believed they had won a penalty when Saka got tangled with Ian Maatsen and went to ground. Jarred Gillett took his time before awarding the spot-kick, but VAR quickly stepped in and the decision was changed to a free-kick instead.

Even so, the breakthrough arrived five minutes later. Eze played Riccardo Calafiori through behind the defence, and the Italian delivered a perfect cut-back for Saka. The winger converted from close range and celebrated with the delighted travelling supporters.

Arsenal did not extend their lead and instead increasingly dropped deeper as the match went on. Villa pushed on, lifted by the home crowd and searching for an equaliser. But with their squad badly depleted this summer, the hosts were unable to break through Arsenal’s defence and did not manage a single shot on target against Raya. It is now two clean sheets from two for the Spanish goalkeeper, and his grip on the Premier League Golden Glove appears set to continue this season.

Unai Emery’s team showed a better version of themselves after their dreadful opening-day loss to Brighton, but in the end they could not trouble the visitors. Arsenal were comfortably the superior side, saw the game out with authority and maintained the perfect start to the defence of their title.