Rejuvenated or not, Arsenal's improvement was obvious in Villa win

For a side that struggled at either end of the pitch on Monday night, Arsenal returned to the Premier League on Friday night against Aston Villa, whom they had lost to in each of their last three meetings before yesterday night.

Arsenal players celebrate against Aston Villa (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

However, The Gooners showed much improvement in such a short period against a side considerably tougher than the Crystal Palace they faced on Monday night.

The atmosphere at the Emirates was a little tense given their recent poor history against the visitors. In search of his first goal for the club, Thomas Partey rattled the wood work with his volley in the 20th minute.

However, it would later be for him three minutes later, when he guided a corner taken by Emile Smith Rowe into the back of the net to score his first goal for Arsenal, and give them the lead in the game.

Arsenal continued to press on the advantage and were presented the chance to double it, however, Bukayo Saka could not beat Emiliano Martinez in Villa goal as the former Arsenal Goalkeeper had his leg well placed to deny the young Englishman, after good link up play between Emile Smith Rowe and Nuno Tavares in the build up.

Arsenal were awarded a penalty by the VAR in the final minute of added time, as Villa defender Matt Target hit the stretched leg of Alexander Lacazette while attempting to clear the ball in his area.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped up and saw his effort well saved by Martinez, who could not help diverting the ball in a position where the Arsenal captain will get the rebound into the back of the net to double the host advantage as the teams head for the break.

Emile Smith Rowe continued his impressive performance on the night and was rewarded with goal four minutes before the hour mark. He intercepted a pass in his own area, gave the ball to Tavares and made his way forward.

Emile Smith Rowe celebrates his goal against Aston Villa (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Tavares found Aubameyang, who played a one touch pass to set Smith Rowe through to have a run at the Villa goal. He moved into the box and fired a shot on goal, which deflected off Mings to wrong foot Martinez and into the Villa goal for a 3-0 lead.

Arsenal continue to dominate and either side were presented chances to get a goal or two as fatigue started to set in. However, none could capitalize until nine minutes from time, when Aaron Ramsdale was denied a fourth clean sheet in the league for Arsenal.

Arsenal failed to clear their line when defending against Leon Bailey. The Canadian run on the edge of the area and his touch managed to get to the path of substitute Jacob Ramsey, who took his shot first time, curling it into the net leaving the Arsenal goalkeeper no chance.

It ended 3-1 to Mikel Arteta side, in what was undoubtedly their best performance in the league this season. The win was enough to see them temporarily move to ninth before the other fixtures of the gameweek will be played.

As relieved as Mikel Arteta will be with the result, he will be hopeful that the group can sustain this and try improve their mentality, before they enter the run of tough fixtures.

Aston Villa have now lost three straight games right after their famous win over Manchester United at the Old Trafford Stadium. They are now placed 13th on the log, with ten points from nine games.

Arsenal return to action on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup round four against Leeds United before their trip to The King Power Stadium next Saturday in the Premier League while Aston Villa host West Ham United next weekend on Sunday.

Afolabi Kehinde Hassan