Ollie Watkins bagged a brace as sublime Aston Villa claimed a superb 3-0 victory against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Dean Smith’s inspired side were excellent in north London and played with fluidity and confidence amid relentless rain to get back to winning ways and continue their 100% away record this season.
Watkins scored twice within three second-half minutes to seal all three points in the capital, coming after Bukayo Saka’s own goal, under pressure from Trezeguet, midway through the first half.
It came against a Gunners side who boasted the meanest defence in the Premier League heading into the encounter as Villa, who also saw John McGinn’s early strike ruled out by VAR, secured a third successive away win in the top flight for the first time since 2010.
The triumph sees Dean Smith’s side move on to 15 points from their opening seven matches and ensures they head into the international in high spirits.
Trezeguet returned to Villa’s starting XI as head coach Smith made one change for the encounter, replacing Bertrand Traore after he sustained an injury in the first half of last weekend’s defeat to Southampton.
And the visitors made a blistering start as McGinn rifled into the roof of the net only to see a four-minute VAR review disallow the strike, Ross Barkley adjudged to be offside and in the eye line of Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
But Villa were not to be denied midway through the first half as patient, intricate play down the left side of the penalty area resulted in Matt Targett sending a low ball across the face of goal which was bundled home by Saka at the far post under pressure from Trezeguet.
Alexandre Lacazette headed over a good opportunity in the 41st from Kieran Tierney’s cross but it was Smith’s side who led at the break.
The hard-working Trezeguet was denied by Leno at his near post three minutes after the restart, before captain Jack Grealish was thwarted by the Germany international shortly afterwards.
Rob Holding pulled wide for the Gunners just after the hour mark while substitute Nicolas Pepe sent a shot off target.
But the visitors wrapped up all three points courtesy of two quickfire goals from Watkins.
Douglas Luiz, making his 50th Villa appearance, found Barkley with a cross-field pass and his superb volley was headed home by Watkins at close range in the 72nd minute.
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Grealish saw his strike cleared off the line by Dani Ceballos before the Villans did bag a third.
Emi Martinez, returning to Arsenal for the first time since his summer switch, set up the counter-attack as his throw found Grealish and he broke down the left before setting up Watkins to fire home and seal a memorable night.
Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, Trezeguet (El Ghazi 88), Barkley, Grealish (c), Watkins.
Subs: Steer, Taylor, Elmohamady, Nakamba, Hourihane, Davis.
