Aston Villa v Arsenal player ratings: McGinn 8, Watkins 6; Rice 7, Odegaard 5

John McGinn's early goal continues Villa's superb home form in a 1-0 win over the Gunners

Emiliano Martinez 7/10

ASTON VILLA PLAYER RATINGS: Produced a very good save to deny Odegaard from point-blank range in the 38th minute. Had a scary moment where he punched a corner-kick into the back of Watkins, which almoShow more

Lucas Digne 6/10

Kept Saka quiet in the first half but struggled in the second. Stung the palms of Raya with a low shot in the 61st minute. PA

Ezri Konsa 7/10

Dealt well with the threat of the pacy Martinelli and kept him relatively quiet. Good sliding tackle to stop Havertz from getting on the end of Zinchenko’s pass in the 16th minute. Reuters

Diego Carlos 7/10

Made an important clearance to stop Havertz from tapping the ball into an empty goal in the 23rd minute. Excellent goal-line clearance to stop Martinelli from drawing the Gunners level in the 35th minShow more

Pau Torres 8/10

Superb at the back for Villa and didn’t put a foot wrong all game. EPA

Boubacar Kamara 7/10

The least advanced of the home side’s midfield, Kamara tucked in well and sat just ahead of the defence. Ran himself into the ground after the Gunners took control of proceedings. Reuters

Douglas Luiz 7/10

Another relentless performance from the Brazilian who threw himself into every challenge. Lucky to get away with a foul on Gabriel Jesus in the penalty area just after the restart. Getty Images

Aston Villa v Arsenal FC - Premier League

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: John McGinn of Aston Villa celebrates scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09Show more

Leon Bailey 8/10

Started the game well and deservedly grabbed the assist for the goal, following an excellent run and cutback to set up McGinn. Picked up an injury which limited him in the first half and was brought oShow more

Youri Tielemans 6/10

Caused plenty of problems for the Gunners midfield with his movement in the first half. His influence quickly waned after the restart, and was deservedly subbed off early in the second half. AFP

Ollie Watkins 6/10

Called Raya into action with a first-time shot in the 67th minute. Made a nuisance of himself at the top of the pitch and caused Saliba problems. EPA

Moussa Diaby 6/10

SUBS: (Bailey 46') Did well to set up Watkins for a shot in the 67th minute. Helped out at the back when the visitors upped the tempo in search of an equaliser late in the game. Getty Images

Jacob Ramsey 7/10

(Tielemans 56') Never stopped running and was useful on the few occasions Villa pushed up in the second half. PA

Matty Cash 7/10

(Konsa 66') Had a go from range in the 76th minute, but his effort went wide. Stayed close to Trossard and stopped him from making an impact. Getty Images

Leander Dendoncker 7/10

(Kamara 67') Brought on to add fresh legs to Villa's tiring midfield, Deondoncker worked hard and played almost like a third centre-back. Reuters

Alex Moreno N/A

(Digne 78') Excellent last-ditch interception to stop Jesus from playing Saka through on goal with ten minutes of normal time left to play. Reuters

David Raya 6/10

ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Had a shaky moment in the third minute when he stepped off his line to claim a cross, but dropped it. Forced into a routine save by Watkins in the second half. Couldn’t do anytShow more

Ben White 4/10

Allowed McGinn to turn too easily in the build-up to the goal. Wasn’t at his best defensively and struggled with his decision-making on the few occasions he joined the attack. Reuters

Oleksandr Zinchenko 6/10

Looked suspect with his defensive positioning all through the game but was brilliant going forward. Played several line-breaking passes. Getty Images

William Saliba 6/10

Had a tough outing against the hardworking Watkins. Kept the striker at arm's length for most of the game. Getty Images

Gabriel Magalhaes 6/10

Should have got closer to Bailey to prevent him from passing to McGinn in the build-up to the winning goal. Brilliant recovery tackle to stop a McGinn cross in the 93rd minute. AP

Declan Rice 7/10

A tireless performance from the midfielder. Mopped up several loose balls and helped kickstart attacks from deep. AFP

Martin Odegaard 5/10

Tried to catch Martinez out at his near post with a shot in the 33rd minute, but his effort went just wide. Should have scored when Havertz brilliantly set him up in the second half. Getty Images

Kai Havertz 6/10

Thought he had scored the equaliser with just one minute to play, but his goal was harshly ruled out for handball. Reuters

Bukayo Saka 6/10

Had the Gunners’ first shot on target with a shot straight into the hands of Martinez in the 31st minute. Barely got involved in the first half but improved in the second and caused Digne problems. GShow more

Gabriel Martinelli - 5/10

Whipped in an excellent cross towards Saka at the back post in the fifth minute, but the England international failed to make the right connection. Went close to making it 1-1 in the 35th minute, but Show more

Gabriel Jesus 6/10

Forced Martinez into a smart save in the 41st minute. His first touch let him down when was played through by Saka in the 68th minute. EPA

Leandro Trossard 5/10

SUBS: (Martinelli 70') Almost cost his side a goal following a wayward pass at the edge of the Arsenal penalty area just after coming on. Not the best of cameos from the Belgian. Getty Images

Eddie Nketiah N/A

(Jesus 81') Had the Gunners’ last chance of the match but failed to keep a header on target. Reuters

Reiss Nelson N/A

(Zinchenko 90') Came on too late to make an impact. AFP

Aston Villa closed to within two points of the top of the Premier League as John McGinn's goal beat title rivals Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday.

Unai Emery's men have now won 15 consecutive Premier League games at Villa Park and back-to-back victories over Manchester City and the Gunners have sparked hopes of an unexpected challenge for their first title since 1981.

The only goal came after just six minutes when Villa captain McGinn span onto Leon Bailey's cross and fired into the top corner.

Arsenal's second league defeat of the season leaves Mikel Arteta's men one point behind Liverpool, who went top with a controversial 2-1 win at Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday.

Victory was sweet for Emery, who was sacked by Arsenal four years ago.

The Spaniard has made a remarkable impact in just over a year at Villa on his return to England, taking charge thirteen months ago with the club outside the relegation zone only on goals scored.

Arsenal's ascent to the top of the table prior to this weekend has been built on a series of vital late goals.

And the visitors nearly snatched a point in stoppage time as Kai Havertz forced the ball home in a goalmouth scramble, but the German international handled it before prodding in at the back post.

Check out the photo gallery above for the player ratings from Villa Park. To move on to the next slide, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.