Aston Villa two points off top spot after John McGinn winner downs Arsenal

Aston Villa moved to inside two factors of the Premier League summit as they continued their excellent residence kind with victory over Arsenal.

The Gunners had led the desk heading into the weekend however slipped to a 1-0 loss courtesy of captain John McGinn’s seventh-minute strike – with Villa extending their profitable residence league run to fifteen video games within the course of.

Arsenal twice had the ball within the internet within the second half however Bukayo Saka was offside earlier than Kai Havertz was denied a late equaliser having been penalised for handball.

Aston Villa beat Arsenal to proceed their profitable residence run

The Villans have now gained 15 consecutive matches at Villa Park!#AVLARS pic.twitter.com/0k2T2u2Uho

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 9, 2023

Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery would have notably loved getting one over his successor – though Mikel Arteta watched on glumly from the administrators’ field as he served a one-match touchline ban.

Villa beat champions Manchester Metropolis right here on Wednesday night time and this success reveals that they’re reliable challengers for the title this season.

Arsenal had been disjointed for big durations of the sport with Saka, specifically, struggling to make an impression on proceedings in a way which he has change into accustomed.

This season, Arsenal have usually struggled to interrupt down a low-block whereas largely having fun with themselves in opposition to sides who look to press.

Subsequently, this was testomony as soon as once more to the ruthlessness and guile with which Villa make use of Emery’s ways and proceed to befuddle among the greatest groups within the land.

Saka had likelihood to open the scoring early on however, after drifting in unmarked on the again put up he couldn’t make significant contact on Gabriel Martinelli’s swinging cross.

Villa would hit the entrance quickly after, taking part in out from the again and never letting Arsenal get close to the ball as Leon Bailey burst into loads of house to interrupt down the suitable earlier than taking part in in McGinn, who had time to take a contact and switch earlier than ending emphatically previous David Raya.

Having been so front-footed and pushed within the win over Metropolis, there may have naturally been some drop-off lower than three days later however the residence facet had been operating the present within the opening quarter of the sport.

Historical past is made. pic.twitter.com/2Hk8iXF2tw

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 9, 2023

Martin Odegaard then shot into the side-netting as Arsenal ultimately started to string collectively some passes within the remaining third.

Martinelli was subsequent up, beating the onrushing Emiliano Martinez to a ball excessive and looping a shot at purpose that was cleared away by Diego Carlos.

With the guests increase a head of steam, Odegaard had a fantastic likelihood to equalise however noticed a shot from 12 yards out as soon as once more saved out by Martinez, who then saved from Gabriel Jesus earlier than the break.

Arsenal noticed requires an early second-half penalty turned down after Douglas Luiz caught Jesus however a VAR examine shortly got here down on the facet of the hosts.

Miscommunication within the Villa field virtually gifted Arsenal their equaliser as Martinez seemed to say a nook however may solely palm the ball into the again of Ollie Watkins, who was leaping to clear, and it hit the put up earlier than being collected.

Odegaard, who had arguably wasted Arsenal’s greatest likelihood within the first half, then skewed a shot horribly extensive as Villa’s purpose continued to stay a charmed life.

Regardless of clearly tiring, Villa had been nonetheless capable of pose a menace themselves as a easy ball by way of the center ultimately noticed half-time substitute Moussa Diaby picked out and he performed in Lucas Digne, who shot low at Raya.

Saka then had the ball within the internet just for the offside flag to convey an abrupt finish to celebrations earlier than Raya was once more known as upon to save lots of from Watkins.

Havertz thought he had levelled within the final minute however referee Jarred Gillett awarded Villa a free-kick for handball in opposition to the German, with a prolonged VAR examine finally siding with the on-pitch official.