Now Matty Cash catches Kieran Tierney following a heavy touch. It's a painful one but the Arsenal man is back on his feet quickly.

The Poland international escapes a booking.

Granit Xhaka gets into a bit of a tangle with Emiliano Buendia and is shown a yellow card by Andy Madley.

All rather unnecessary.

Ollie Watkins wants a free-kick for a foul by Ben White but Andy Madley isn't interested.

Villa are getting a little frustrated as we approach the interval.

Not long until half-time. Villa have yet to register an attempt at goal.

I've just seen a replay of that Arsenal corner. Thomas Partey had his arms wrapped around Tyrone Mings as the Villa captain looked to get on the end of Douglas Luiz's ball in.

No intervention from the video assistant referee on this occasion.

Villa come forward and force their second corner of the match.

Emiliano Buendia attempts to get a flick on Douglas Luiz's delivery at the near post but Arsenal clear.

Kieran Tierney launches a teasing ball into the box towards the far post, where Alexandre Lacazette is lurking with intent.

There's just too much on the full-back's cross, however, and the ball goes behind for a Villa goal-kick.

Arsenal have become the third side to score 2000 goals in the Premier League alongside Manchester United (2176) and Liverpool (2002).

Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Aston Villa couldn't clear their lines from this wide free-kick. It falls kindly, central for Saka. He's on fire. The goalkeeper might think he could do better; he might not see it well, it is windy, but he should save it.

But a wonderful strike and start for Arsenal.

John McGinn is also booked for his role in the aftermath of that Tyrone Mings challenge.

Image source, Getty Images

How do Villa respond? Well, Tyrone Mings responds with a robust challenge on goalscorer Bukayo Saka, causing a bit of a melee. Mings gets the ball first but catches Saka on the follow-through.

Andy Madley brandishes a yellow card in the Villa skipper's direction.

Another promising move from the hosts as Philippe Coutinho feeds Ollie Watkins, who shows a little too much of the ball to Cedric Soares but forces a corner.

Kieran Tierney goes down clutching his head after colliding with Bernd Leno from the resulting corner, but the full-back is up on his feet again quickly.

Yet another Bukayo Saka delivery into the Villa box is intercepted by Emiliano Martinez.

Saka is causing the Villa defence all sorts of problems.

Ross Matthewman: Do we want to lose this game? Close down Saka when he’s on the ball. Young is constantly backing off.

John McGinn almost gets his team in trouble with a careless ball on the edge of his own box, which goes straight to Thomas Partey.

The midfielder tries to play a one-two with Alexandre Lacazette but Ashley Young is on hand to hoof clear.

First hint of an opportunity for Villa as Ollie Watkins tries to get on the end of an inswinging cross from the right, but Ben White and Bernd Leno deal with the danger.

Better from the hosts.

Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Arteta has the knowhow. But what you felt was whether he'd get the time. Would he stick to the tactics, would he get the players to come in and fill those roles? Ultimately, he's come in and started to get somewhere.

He set the tone with the big players, Aubameyang moved out. Now it is about recruitment. Liverpool went out and spent big money on a centre-back and a goalkeeper who came straight in. Can Arsenal do that to the same level? That would be the difference for me.

Another big chance for the visitors, this.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard link up magnificently once again down the right. The former gets to the byline and cuts the ball back towards Emile Smith Rowe, who fires wide.

Brilliant football from the Gunners.

Aston Villa have struggled to hit any kind of rhythm so far. Philippe Coutinho tries to feed Ollie Watkins but overhits the pass.