The Gunners had to wait for their breakthrough, but after it came, a second goal followed not long after.
Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 67th minute as Leandro Trossard, who had come on just two minutes earlier, rifled in a first-time finish.
Mikel Arteta’s charges then doubled their advantage just 10 minutes later, Thomas Partey firing in at the near post after good work from Bukayo Saka.
It’s often about fine margins in such games, and things could have been different for Arsenal had a 54th-minute moment gone the wrong way for them.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya wows Gary Neville
Villa were on the attack and had two superb opportunities to open the scoring shortly before the hour.
However, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was on hand to pull off two great saves in quick succession.
Amadou Onana was teed up for a shot, which came off Gabriel and looped up in the air for Raya to push onto the bar.
Ollie Watkins was in the right place for the follow-up, and it would’ve been easier to score, but he fired straight at the £27million man.
Gary Neville loved what he saw from Raya and sung his praises on Sky Sports, saying: “How Raya reacts, wow. He comes from nowhere.”
Sky Sports journalist Nick Wright added: “Brilliant from Raya to get back up and deny Watkins from the rebound.
“The Villa striker can’t quite believe he’s not scored. Neither can the home fans around us in the press box.”
Later on, Neville went on to say: “The moment of the match was the save from Raya.
“Trossard has an incredible impact but this is magical. I can’t believe he’s got up – he’s thrown himself into the back of the net.”
What next for Arsenal?
Arsenal are next in action on Saturday 31 August as they contest the day’s early Premier League kick-off.
The Gunners host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium in a 12:30pm kick-off.
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