Stuart Armstrong scored the only goal of the game, and his first for Aberdeen, at Rugby ParkSNS

Stuart Armstrong scored the only goal of the game, and his first for Aberdeen

At a glance

  • Aberdeen win back to back away games for first time since September 2024

  • Armstrong gives Aberdeen advantage in first half

  • Deas misses chance then has goal disallowed for offside

Kilmarnock v Aberdeen highlights

29/10/25

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Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Aberdeen recorded successive away league wins for the first time since September 2024 to move up to 10th in the Scottish Premiership and level with Kilmarnock.

Jimmy Thelin's side had lost their last two - conceding eight goals - but showed admirable resolve to claim a precious win.

Greg Kiltie and Jesper Karlsson spurned chances for each side before Stuart Armstrong found the breakthrough for Aberdeen.

The Scotland international latched onto Jesper Karlsson's deflected effort and lifted the ball beyond Tobi Oluwayemi for his first goal for the Pittodrie club.

Kiltie almost pulled one back for the visitors late on in the first half. Aberdeen failed to clear their lines and the attacker capitalised, forcing Mitov to make the stop.

Kilmarnock started the second half brighter and Robbie Deas really should have made it 1-1 but the defender smashed his shot far too high following a corner.

Moments later, the centre-back had the ball in the back of the net after Mitov failed to gather a cross but the leveller was ruled out for an offside offence.

Marcus Dackers scrambled a late chance wide of the far post as Kilmarnock searched for an equaliser that they just couldn't find.

The result leaves Kilmarnock ahead of Aberdeen in the Premiership table on goal difference.

Analysis: Kilmarnock unlucky but Aberdeen show resolve

There was a lot to like about Aberdeen's first-half performance. They looked like a side with renewed confidence and a desire go play the ball forward.

That confidence only grew when Armstrong popped in the opener but, all in all, it was a vastly improved performance from the Aberdeen of late.

They were finding ways to cut through Kilmarnock and playing with a swagger that you'd expect from a team who'd been on a winning run, not a team who were searching for a much-needed third victory of the season.

Kilmarnock never really looked out of the game, but were found wanting in front of goal – in fact, Aberdeen only had one more shot on target (three to Kilmarnock's two) than the hosts in the first half.

Kettlewell's side came out flying in the second half and could have been in front after 50 minutes but again they failed to take their chances.

It felt like luck wasn't on Kilmarnock's side. The hosts had nine shots inside the box compared to Aberdeen's two and generated an xG of 1.45.

Kilmarnock v Aberdeen second half statsOpta

Kilmarnock put in a much improved second-half performance

What they said

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell: "The goal we conceded, it's an instinct. It's making sure that you never give up space inside your penalty box, you play until that ball is dead or until you clear your lines.

"I think that is a bit more mentality, about having a bit more desire to defend that space. It disappoints me that Stuart Armstrong gets to the ball first.

"I'm never passing the buck to the players but how we solve the goal conceded tonight it's a reaction, it's an instinct to do better."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "Our supporters travelled down here to support us in a tough situation. It was good to give something back.

"I think we are in this together. It's not for me or for us, it's for our fans and our club. The belief is still there.

"We have to have this fighting spirit to take three points and we did it really well."

What next?

Kilmarnock travel to face Falkirk in the Premiership on Saturday (15:00 GMT), while Aberdeen have a free weekend before visiting AEK Larnaca in the Conference League on Thursday (17:45).

Player of the match

S. Armstrong
8.28
19 B. Anderson
5.27
17 S. Tiffoney
4.80
20 T. Oluwayemi
4.76
12 D. Watson
4.74
26 B. Brannan
4.44
14 G. Stanger
4.26
4 Z. Williams
4.20
3 D. Thompson
4.04
7 R. McKenzie
3.95
8 B. Lyons
3.90
24 T. John-Jules
3.85
6 R. Deas
3.81
11 G. Kiltie
3.60
9 M. Dackers
3.39
31 L. Polworth
3.33
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