Arsenal moved up to fourth in the Premier League thanks to Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
The Gunners’ five-game winning streak was cut short by a midweek loss to Liverpool, but the Gunners reacted strongly at Villa Park.
A brilliant start for the visitors was rewarded when Saka struck just outside the box with half an hour left to score Arsenal’s 2,000th goal in the competition.
Ollie Watkins hit the post in the second half but Arsenal, without Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Martinelli through injury and illness respectively, picked up another win.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez did well to prevent Ezri Konsa from scoring his own goal after saving Thomas Partey, but the visitors quickly found the goal.
Villa failed to clear their lines and Saka’s 20-yard shot found a way past Martinez, who saw the ball late and couldn’t make enough contact to keep it clear.
Emile Smith Rowe fired a low shot at Martinez early in the second half and Arsenal were booked when Watkins’ shot deflected Kieran Tierney and hit the post.
But Villa, who had lost three and won three of the previous six, could not seriously trouble goalkeeper Bernd Leno as Arsenal held firm.
