‘It’s my fault’: Arteta’s Arsenal loses 3-0 to Villa in EPL

Arsenal was struggling to keep things tight at the back and Villa took the lead after Jack Grealish and Barkley combined to free Matt Targett, whose low cross was turned into his own net at the back post by Saka.

Arteta’s hosts continued to toil, unable to test Martinez before the interval as Alexandre Lacazette headed Kieran Tierney’s cross over the bar from seven yards out.

Arsenal’s task was made harder when they had to take Thomas Partey off at halftime with a thigh injury.

Villa killed off the game in a scintillating three-minute spell.

Douglas Luiz’s fine pass picked out Barkley, whose cross was headed in by Watkins from close range in the 72nd minute.

It could have been worse for the hosts had Dani Ceballos not been in the right place to clear Grealish’s strike off the line.

But it would prove only a short respite as Watkins finished coolly past Leno after more good work from Grealish.

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