Arsenal 0 Aston Villa 2
With Liverpool losing at home earlier in the day, it was all set up for Arsenal to go back to the top of the table. Aston Villa were the visitors to The Emirates, looking to complete a league double over The Gunners and put a serious dent in their title ambitions.
Unai Emery was returning to the club where he was sacked as manager. The Spaniard had a point to prove to the hierarchy. Arsenal had the first glimpse of goal as Odegaard slotted in Havertz. His shot at the near post was well blocked by Martinez in the visitors’ goal.
Aston Villa did a good job of nullifying The Gunners’ attacking play and they were struggling to create chances in the first half. Odegaard got to the byline and his cross picked out Saka at the back post. Not really known for his aerial ability, the young winger headed harmlessly over the crossbar.
The visitors were almost gifted a goal when Gabriel tried to clear the ball and it struck the back of Zinchenko. It rebounded into the path of Watkins, who only had an eye for goal as he advanced, finally seeing his shot hit the inside of the post and come right across the line and out of play.
Credit: @premierleague
As much as Arsenal were failing to impress in the game, credit has to go to Aston Villa. Emery had done his homework on his opponents and set his side up brilliantly to prevent Arteta’s side doing what they had been so successful with for the majority of the season.
The hosts came forward, playing some slick passing. Odegaard looked to shoot at the edge of the box but his effort deflected into the path of Jesus. He squared the ball to Trossard, who looked destined to score, but Martinez pulled off a sublime save to deny him.
In the second half, the visitors continued to play their goal kicks short. With Martinez becoming a part of their passing game, they seemed to outnumber Arsenal. It allowed them to pass the ball through Arteta’s side and really stretch them in midfield and defence.
As Villa forced their first corner of the game, Zinchenko dwelled on the ball out wide instead of clearing his lines. Tielemans dispossessed him and shot from distance, only to see his effort hit the crossbar and then the post, as it came back out into play. So close to an opening goal.
Arsenal pushed forward, desperately trying to find a goal. As the ball was squared back to Jesus on the edge of the box, he looked to curl one in the bottom corner. Martinez got down well to beat the ball out and get distance on his save also.
Emery’s side forced another corner. They played it short and The Gunners failed to clear their lines. As the ball was recycled, Digne whipped the ball across the box, and Bailey was at the back post to knock the ball into an empty net. The Emirates was in a state of shock.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Arteta's side forced a corner late on but couldn’t do anything with it. As a misplaced pass was cut out by Tielemans, he spotted the run of Watkins. He sprinted through on goal and lifted the ball past Raya to seal the win for Aston Villa. Watkins is having some season in front of goal.
Aston Villa held on for the win and also an impressive clean sheet. It moved them back into fourth place and puts the momentum back in their own hands to secure Champions League qualification. Arsenal had been picked apart in front of their own fans.
The Gunners will wonder what they did wrong to lose this game whereas the reality is, this was an Unai Emery tactical masterclass. What Arteta should be more worried about is that his compatriot may have shown the rest of the league how to play against Arsenal if you want to beat them.
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