---
title: "Arsenal: Bukayo Saka praised for ‘excellent’ finish vs Aston Villa"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/bukayo-saka-aston-villa-latest-match-reaction-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2023-02-18T15:05:34Z"
modified: "2023-02-18T15:05:34Z"
---

# Arsenal: Bukayo Saka praised for ‘excellent’ finish vs Aston Villa

**[Arsenal](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/) forward Bukayo Saka has been praised for his ‘excellent’ finish during the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) game vs Aston Villa by journalist [Josh Bunting](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball).**

### The Lowdown: Honours even in the Midlands

The Gunners were the visitors at Villa Park on Saturday where [Mikel Arteta](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/mikel-arteta/) and his side secured a 4-2 victory with goals coming from Saka, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho and a last-gasp fourth from Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal’s first equaliser was one of their most notable moments when 21-year-old Saka smashed a ruthless left-footed finish into the back of Villa’s net – giving Emiliano Martinez absolutely no chance.

### The Latest: Bunting’s reaction

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/buntingfootball/status/1626927942751203328?s=46&t=B2DPFRvSjBofKRwPurRRvA), Bunting was full of praise for Saka’s individual magic to secure Arsenal’s opening leveller before their opponents temporarily re-took the lead. He wrote:

*“That is an excellent finish from Bukayo Saka, for such a young player that is such a high quality finish. One of the shining lights of this Premier League season. The technique he gets on it is beautiful.”*

\[freshpress-poll id=”420879″\]

### The Verdict: Standout performer

Saka currently ranks as one of Arsenal’s [top-performing](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/13/Show/England-Arsenal) offensive players this season and his numbers just go to show how much of a standout star he is in the capital.

The England international has clocked up an outstanding 17 goal contributions in 23 top-flight starts this campaign where he’s averaging 2.5 shots and 2.2 key passes per 90 minutes ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/367185/Show/Bukayo-Saka)).

The Ealing-born talent also earned a match rating of [7.1](https://www.sofascore.com/arsenal-aston-villa/PR) in today’s clash against Villa, making him the joint third-highest-performing player on the pitch.

Saka has entered the final [18 months](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/vertragsende/verein/11/vertragsendeJahr/2024) of his deal with the Gunners and the club have [reportedly](https://talksport.com/football/1321882/arsenal-bukayo-saka-contract-man-city-transfer-saliba-martinelli/) made it their priority to tie him down which would be nothing less than he deserves as a reward for his consistent level of displays.