Premier League analysis: Positive signs for Aston Villa despite narrow Arsenal defeat
Aston Villa may have suffered a second consecutive Premier League defeat, but there were plenty of encouraging signs to take from their 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Villa Park.
Bukayo Saka’s 59th-minute goal was enough to separate the two sides, with Arsenal leaving the West Midlands with all three points.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce shows how the result does not tell the full story of a much-improved Villa performance.
A huge improvement defensively
Perhaps the biggest positive for Villa was the improvement in their defensive structure.
After conceding four goals against Brighton, Emery needed his side to become much harder to break down and that was exactly what happened against Arsenal.
The visitors controlled large periods of possession, but Villa restricted them to relatively few clear opportunities.
Arsenal eventually found the breakthrough through a well-worked move involving Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori, with Saka finishing from close range.
For long periods, Villa remained compact and frustrating for Arsenal.
The narrow scoreline reflected a contest in which the Gunners were forced to work extremely hard for their victory.
That is particularly encouraging considering the scale of change within the Villa squad this summer.
Several important players have departed, leaving Emery with the difficult task of building a new team while simultaneously trying to compete at Premier League level.
Zion Suzuki provides an early glimpse of his quality
Another major positive was the performance of new goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The Japan international made his Premier League debut and immediately looked comfortable with the responsibility of playing behind a completely revamped defence.
Suzuki demonstrated confidence with the ball at his feet and showed an ability to distribute accurately from deep.
He also showed his ability between the posts, making an important save from Kai Havertz to prevent Arsenal from doubling their advantage.
There will inevitably be mistakes as Suzuki adapts to English football, but his performance suggested Villa could have found a goalkeeper capable of becoming an important part of Emery’s long-term plans.
READ MORE: Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international football at 39
Nicolas Jackson offers hope up front
While Villa's attacking performance remains an obvious area for improvement, Nicolas Jackson’s first start provides another reason for optimism.
The new signing has arrived at Villa Park with pressure on his shoulders following the departures of several key attacking players.
Although Villa struggled to create enough opportunities, Jackson demonstrated the movement and physical presence that could become increasingly valuable as he develops an understanding with his new team-mates.
The problem was less about a lack of attacking potential and more about Villa struggling to consistently supply their new striker.
Villa are integrating a large number of new players into the team, and developing the chemistry required in the final third cannot happen overnight.
Emery's rebuild is beginning to take shape
The most important takeaway from the evening may simply be that Villa looked more like a team than they did against Brighton.
This is a squad undergoing significant change with numerous departures and a number of new arrivals.
Emery is effectively attempting to construct a new side while competing against some of the best teams in Europe.
The defeat to Brighton highlighted just how much work remained to be done. But the performance against Arsenal, however, suggested progress.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Premier League: Bruno Fernandes hat-trick lights up Old Trafford as Man Utd thrash Ipswich Town
A defeat that could prove valuable
Ultimately, losing to Arsenal is still a disappointing result for Villa, particularly after starting the season with two defeats.
However, there is a significant difference between being comfortably beaten and losing narrowly to one of the Premier League's strongest sides.
The next step is turning that promise into results.
If Villa can combine the defensive resilience shown against Arsenal with greater attacking creativity, there is every reason to believe this rebuilt side can become much stronger as the season takes shape.
READ NEXT: Six Things to Check Before Betting NFL Player Props This Season
