Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor was left disappointed by what he felt was an undeserved loss to Arsenal but insists Unai Emery’s side will be back.
The fixture list has not been hugely kind to Aston Villa to start the season, with an away trip to West Ham United on the opening day followed by welcoming Arsenal to Villa Park on match-day two.
However, after overcoming a tough West Ham side to win 2-1 last weekend, there was optimism that Unai Emery could mastermind a third consecutive league win against Arsenal on Saturday.
That was not to be, as a strong display was undone by strikes from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey in the 67th and 77th-minute.
There were some fine individual performances as well as collectively, though, and Emery will be particularly pleased with the display of Morgan Rogers in his new second striker role.
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The perfectionist nature of the Spanish manager will mean he rues the defeat, but there was little against Arsenal that should cause alarm despite the loss.
Gabby Agbonlahor left unimpressed by Arsenal after beating Aston Villa
Arsenal enjoyed the bulk of possession at Villa Park on Sunday but both sides created two big chances.
Villa actually registered a higher xG than Mikel Arteta’s side, with 1.28 to 0.87, but ultimately it was Arsenal that managed to find the back of the net twice.
On another day, we could easily be discussing a solid win for Emery’s side; particularly given Ollie Watkins missed an open goal as he struggles to show the same sharpness as last year this early in the season.
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Gabby Agbonlahor is Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer and the player-turned-pundit delivered his verdict on the result and performance after the game.
Agbonlahor expressed that he felt his former side deserved more, posting on X: “Let’s be honest, we didn’t deserve to lost that game. Arsenal were satisfactory!
“We go again. Enjoy the win Arsenal, you were very poor against a top Villa side!”
Unai Emery has no reason to panic after Aston Villa lose to Arsenal
Arsenal have progressed every season under Arteta and will again be looking to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.
There is therefore no shame at all in losing to the Gunners and Emery will know that his side did enough to win the game.
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In the end it came down to fine margins, with Arsenal making the most of their opportunities and Villa failing to convert their chances.
Despite defeat, it was a performance to build on for Villa and Emery will be confident his players can bounce back with a win against Leicester City next time out.
That would see the Villans head into the first international break of the season on six points, which is a tally most fans would have been delighted with going into the campaign.
