Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan makes Arsenal debut in English Premier League defeat to Aston Villa

Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has made his debut for Arsenal, the English Premier League club he supported as a kid, producing a number of classy saves, albeit in a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.

It was a baptism of fire for Ryan as after just 74 seconds he was beaten by a deflected shot from Villa’s Ollie Watkins, the only goal of the match at Villa Park.

The goal came after a loose pass by Arsenal’s Cedric Soares, with Watkins’ strike deflecting off Rob Holding to squirm past Ryan.

But Ryan went on to make seven saves in a strong debut, including a diving stop to deny Jack Grealish late in the game.

He also saved from Villa’s Ross Barkley, John McGinn and Watkins in the second half.

“On first reflection, I think there were plenty of positives…