Steven Gerrard delivers brutal Aston Villa verdict as Arsenal defeat sets alarm bells ringing

Aston Villa were given another reality check by a side they want to really compete with next season, with England ace Bukayo Saka playing a starring role to condemn Steven Gerrard's side to their fourth defeat in their last seven.

It was Saka who popped up with what proved to be the winner when he worked a neat free-kick with Cedric Soares before the latter dinked a ball into the far post. Villa failed to deal with that very ball, and Saka was on hand to rifle home past Emi Martinez with the Villa goalkeeper's view blocked by a number of bodies in front of him.

The warning signs were out early for Villa inside another packed-out Villa Park when Saka skinned Ashley Young - in for the injured Lucas Digne - before a chance fell to Emile Smith Rowe who ballooned over when well-placed after just two minutes.

Prior to kick-off, Gerrard made a tweak to his system to bring Emi Buendia back in for Danny Ings, while Ezri Konsa also slotted back in for ex-Gunner Calum Chambers at the back. Villa, though, really struggled to get going and didn't register a single shot on Bernd Leno's goal with the German in for the injured Aaron Ramsdale.

Villa's frustrations continually grew given the performance of referee Andy Madley who was quick to book Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn and Tyrone Mings in the first half, the latter a poor decision as Mings swiped the ball away from Saka on halfway.

After the break, Villa improved slightly as McGinn went close with a curling effort with his right foot on the hour while, six minutes later, Ollie Watkins cut inside before his effort nicked off Kieran Tierney and hit the outside of Leno's post.

With a little over 20 minutes remaining, Gerrard changed it and brought on Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore