Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins score late on to dent Gunners’ title bid

Aston Villa produced an excellent efficiency to stun Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and depart Manchester Metropolis in pole place within the Premier League title race.

Arsenal had been lucky to stay on degree phrases for therefore lengthy towards the spectacular guests, who secured a deserved win to maneuver three factors forward of Tottenham in fourth having performed a sport extra.

The one shock was that it took Villa till six minutes from the tip of regular time to open the scoring – Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans hit the woodwork in every half earlier than Leon Bailey lastly broke the impasse with a low end on the far submit.

Arsenal had been stored out within the first half when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a shocking save from Leandro Trossard, however the guests wrapped up the win when Watkins raced clear within the 87th minute to loft a composed end over David Raya.

It accomplished an ideal weekend for reigning champions Metropolis, with Pep Guardiola’s aspect now two factors away from Arsenal who’re forward of third-placed Liverpool on objective distinction.

Gunners fluff their traces

Arsenal had been introduced with the right alternative to strengthen their title possibilities after fellow contenders Liverpool misplaced 1-0 to Palace at Anfield in Sunday’s earlier kick-off.

As a substitute, with a heavy weight of expectation, Arsenal produced one in every of their worst performances of the season and may haven’t any complaints in regards to the end result.

The essential second of a good, tense first half got here when former Arsenal keeper Martinez in some way stored out Trossard’s close-range shot simply earlier than the break when it appeared sure the Belgian would rating.

After that Villa took cost.

The Arsenal aspect who gained so convincingly of their earlier league sport at Brighton had been by no means in proof, with solely captain Martin Odegaard offering the prompting, though he, like his colleagues, appeared desperately jaded after the break.

Arsenal at all times appeared weak to Villa’s tempo on the counter and because the sport entered its closing phases there was solely going to be one winner – with Emery’s aspect urgent ahead and the Gunners hanging on.

This might be a day of bitter disappointment for Arsenal however, like Liverpool, they should recuperate swiftly as a result of they merely can’t afford any extra errors with defending champions Metropolis now sitting ominously on the prime.

High class Villa get their reward

Villa deserved each second of the celebrations they shared with the travelling followers on the conclusion of this excellent win.

Emery’s aspect carved out an enormous end result within the context of the chase for the highest 4, and no-one can begrudge them their triumph.

Certainly, the victory margin ought to have been even wider.

The guests troubled Arsenal’s again 4 all through with Watkins rolling a end towards the submit within the first half, earlier than Tielemans’ wonderful curling effort in some way stayed out within the second half – remarkably hitting the bar then the submit.

Former Arsenal supervisor Emery set his aspect up completely and was a whirlwind of exercise in his technical space as he directed operations.

It was all superbly orchestrated. This complete efficiency was an illustration of Emery’s experience in galvanising Villa.

It might have taken a shocking save from Martinez to maintain them degree within the first half however no-one ought to counsel this was any kind of ‘smash and seize’.

This was a hard-earned victory and completely worthy of how Villa performed.

Participant of the match

WatkinsOllie Watkins

Arsenal

Squad quantity8Participant titleØdegaard

Squad quantity41Participant titleRice

Squad quantity2Participant titleSaliba

Squad quantity7Participant titleSaka

Squad quantity6Participant titleGabriel Magalhães

Squad quantity29Participant titleHavertz

Squad quantity4Participant titleWhite

Squad quantity19Participant titleTrossard

Squad quantity22Participant titleRaya

Squad quantity9Participant titleGabriel Jesus

Squad quantity10Participant titleSmith Rowe

Squad quantity11Participant titleGabriel Martinelli

Squad quantity18Participant titleTomiyasu

Squad quantity35Participant titleZinchenko

Squad quantity20Participant titleJorginho

Squad quantity14Participant titleNketiah