EPL Gameweek 1: Benteke scores two, Luna scores on debut as Aston Villa beat Arsenal 3-1

Aston Villa’s Belgian striker Christian Benteke (L) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal to equalise the score line during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates stadium in North London on August 17, 2013.

Aston Villa made a remarkable start to the new campaign by coming out of Emirates with all three points, as they beat hosts Arsenal 2-1 on the opening day of the season.

Arsenal got off to a flying start as French striker Olivier Giroud opened the scoring only five minutes into the game. However, their joy was short-lived as goalkeeper Wojciech Szcz?sny upended striker Gabriel Agbonlahor inside the penalty box in the 21st minute, this conceding a penalty. Although Szcz?sny did manage to save the penalty taken by Christian Benteke, the Belgian was able to tap in the rebound to equalise the score. The game was a feisty affair as the first half ended 1-1, with players from both sides finding themselves in the referee’s book.

Things didn’t get any  better for Arsenal in the second half, as Laurent Koscielny was adjudged to have brought down Agbonlahor inside the box in the 61st minute, although replays indicated that the Frenchman had in fact won the ball. Six minutes later, the defender was shown the second yellow for a late tackle on Agbonlahor, leaving the London side with only ten men on the field.

Despite the heroics of Tomas Rosicky, Arsenal were unable to find the equalising goal. And finally the numbers disadvantage proved too much for them as debutant Antonio Luna netted an easy goal in the 85th minute to kill any chance of an Arsenal comeback.

Things got even worse for the Gunners as Bacary Sagna had a nasty fall on his neck towards the end of the game which could potentially result in a long-term injury.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield.