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Boyhood Arsenal fan Ollie Watkins is their new nemesis like Didier Drogba as Aston Villa complete first league double over sorry Gunners in 28 years

talksport.com, 6 February 2021, 14:30
Arsenal will be sick of the sight of Ollie Watkins as the striker put the Gunners to the sword in a 1-0 victory for Aston Villa on Saturday.

The 25-year-old struck in the 74th second of the match and could've had plenty more as Villa condemned Arsenal to back-to-back defeats.

It's the first time Villa have done a league double over Arsenal since 1993 - and Watkins, a boyhood Gunners fan, was on the scoresheet twice during the 3-0 win at the Emirates earlier this season.

He didn't quite become the first player since Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to net consecutive braces against the Gunners, but the Villa man sure is a thorn in Arsenal's side.

Drogba famously tormented the north Londoners during his playing days, scoring 16 goals against them.

The result leaves Arsenal tenth in the Premier League table, while Villa look far more likely to qualify for Europe this season.

Dean Smith's side are eighth with a game in hand on most sides above them as their fine 2020/21 campaign continues.

Gabriel was left short by a Cedric pass as Arsenal handed Watkins an opener in the second minute at Villa Park.

It was a baptism of fire for Brighton loanee Mat Ryan, who was making his Arsenal debut in place of the suspended Bernd Leno.

The 28-year-old, signed in January, conceded 74 seconds into his first Gunners appearance after a deflection off Rob Holding left the Aussie helpless.

He is the fourth Premier League goalkeeper to concede within two minutes of their debut - and Ryan was picking the ball out of his net before his first touch in an Arsenal shirt.

Arsenal will be sick of the sight of Ollie Watkins as the striker put the Gunners to the sword in a 1-0 victory for Aston Villa on Saturday.

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