Aston Villa vs. Arsenal player ratings: Live grades for Gunners, Villains in 2026 Premier League match

The defending Premier League champions look to keep things moving at the start of the season as Arsenal navigate their first road trip of the campaign with a visit to Aston Villa on Monday.

The Gunners have begun the season in excellent fashion, silencing Manchester City with a 3-0 win in the Community Shield before a victory of the same scoreline against newly-promoted Coventry City to begin league play.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, were thrashed by Brighton 4-0 to open their top flight circuit, still in a state of transition from a busy summer transfer window as Unai Emery looks to impart his specialised tactics on a host of new players.

The Sporting News brings you a full list of player ratings for the match, analysing both team's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

Location: Villa Park (Birmingham, England) Referee: Jarred Gillett

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Z. Suzuki (GK) — 2. M. Cash, 3. V. Lindelof, 14. P. Torres, 22. I. Maatsen — 8. B. Kamara, 6. R. Barkley — 7. J. McGinn, 10. E. Buendia, 53. G. Hemmings — 11. N. Jackson.

Arsenal (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Raya (GK) — 4. B. White, 3. Y. Mosquera, 6. Gabriel, 33. R. Calafiori — 8. M. Odegaard, 49. M. Lewis-Skelly, 41. D. Rice — 7. B. Saka, 29. K. Havertz, 17. C. Tzolis (Eze, 46').

Had nothing to do in the first half, as Aston Villa failed to secure a shot on target. Good in possession in his own half, but struggled with long deliveries.

This section will be updated as the match progresses and the player looks to have an impact on the game.

Ben White got the start at right-back over former Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, who is yet to make his Arsenal debut.

Caused Aston Villa some problems in an inverted full-back role tucking into midfield.

Right center-back: Cristhian Mosquera — 7

Mosquera is starting in place of the injured William Saliba for as long as the Frenchman remains sidelined by his back injury. Great start to the match on both ends, especially providing danger on corners not just on the initial delivery, but also in recycling possession to keep the pressure on.

Hardly put a foot wrong on the ball, but did occasionally get lost with Aston Villa counter-attacking. For the most part, held firm on his side of the field, and was exceptional in the build-up.

Muscled off the ball early on by Boubacar Kamara (definitely a foul, but wasn't called). A bit scatterbrained as is his style, but did manage to provide occasional danger.

Provided great energy in the attacking half through the first 45 minutes, creating multiple chances for Arsenal. Fed Kai Havertz in the 14th minute for his missed shot, although he pulled the trigger just a split second too late which saw the German leaning slightly offside.

Central midfielder: Myles Lewis-Skelly — 7

With Declan Rice doing more of the adventurous possessional work, Lewis-Skelly was assured in the middle.

Heavily involved throughout the first 25 minutes, to mixed results. His efforts to play long didn't quite work out, but he was still a major factor in Arsenal's possession. Was excellent on set pieces, both delivering corners from his side, and got on the end of one by Saka in the 26th minute that he headed just over the crossbar, a very good chance.

A menace to defend throughout the first half, as he got on the ball repeatedly in the attacking third, including multiple penalty-area touches.

Missed a huge chance in the 14th minute from a tight angle, but was leaning just offside anyways. Delivered an excellent ball to Bukayo Saka in the 25th minute that nearly unlocked the Aston Villa defense but won a corner in the end.

Just seven touches in the first half, had very little influence on the match which saw neither team find a shot on target through the opening 45 minutes.

Relatively invisible through the first 20 minutes of the game, although he contributed some in the defensive half. Struggled to get by Matty Cash, and fouled the Aston Villa full-back midway through the first half that resulted in a booking.

Rightly hooked at halftime in favor of Eberechi Eze.

Entered in place of a struggling Christos Tzolis at halftime.

This section will be updated as the game progresses and Mikel Arteta brings players into the match off the bench.

This section will be updated with an evaluation of the Arsenal coaching performance after full-time once the match can be successfully processed in full.

Having earned a summer move to the Premier League after a strong performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Japan, Suzuki has big shoes to fill, making his Aston Villa debut in place of the departed Emi Martinez.

Didn't have anything to do between the sticks in the first half as Arsenal failed to get a shot on target, and was mediocre on the ball.

Was everywhere throughout the first half, both at the back and up in possession. Did very well defending Christos Tzolis, and managed to get forward as well. Won a foul by Tzolis that saw the Arsenal winger booked 29 minutes in.

Defended bravely throughout the match, as he prevented Arsenal from building through the middle.

Struggled to have any influence in possession, with just 14 first-half touches.

Excellent defensively, routinely keeping Kai Havertz quiet throughout the first half.

On the ball, Torres was a mixed bag. His 22 touches made him the preferred defender to begin the build-up, but he only completed 11 of 17 first-half passes, which is extremely poor for a defender, especially considering only three of those misses were long.

Had tons of defending to do as he looked to keep a lid on Bukayo Saka with little success, but managed to get forward in transition at times. Saw a shot in the 27th minute go just wide. Nearly had the opener as a 43rd-minute cross was just out of reach, and it was surprising not to see him give it more of an effort on the run.

Absolutely mugged Riccardo Calafiori to create the chance that saw Emi Buendia strike the post. It was most definitely a foul, but credit to Kamara for staying with it and making something happen. Unfortunately, that led to more overtly physical play shortly after, which the referee was now wise to. Needed to show more in possession to have an impact on the match.

With new signing Leon Goretzka not quite up to speed yet, Ross Barkley got the start in midfield for Aston Villa.

Barkley was safe in possession, but his real starring role was defensively, where he routinely blew up Arsenal build-up or forced them out wide. He logged five first-half defensive contributions.

In classic John McGinn fashion, he displayed exceptional work rate from the opening whistle, winning fouls in midfield and tracking back to put in good defensive work in keeping Arsenal from going long.

Looked very bright in possession, combining with teammates when Aston Villa got forward. Struck the bar from long range with a sensational strike in the 12th minute.

Also contributed some defensively, and won some aerial duels as well. A great all-around performance, given Aston Villa struggled to maintain long spells of possession.

The 19-year-old had barely a sniff on the ball in the opening quarter of the match, as Emi Buendia was the main ball carrier in the build-up. Didn't do much with his 10 first-half touches.

The former Chelsea striker makes his Aston Villa debut, having joined from the London club this summer for €55 million, hoping to replace Ollie Watkins at the head of Unai Emery's specialised formation.

Through the first 20 minutes of the game, he was a complete non-factor, even as Aston Villa looked to work the ball forward both in transition and in possession.

This section will be updated as the game progresses and Unai Emery brings players into the match off the bench.