Aston Villa vs Arsenal. Premier League.
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Report and free match highlights as Aston Villa win a 15th successive top-flight home match for the first time in their history; John McGinn's early goal was enough to move Villa to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool; Arsenal miss chance to go top
Sunday 10 December 2023 07:26, UK
John McGinn's early goal was enough to earn Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Arsenal that moves them to within two points of the Premier League summit.
The Gunners were knocked off the top of the table by Liverpool earlier on Saturday and faced a formidable task if they wanted to regain their place, with Villa winning 14 consecutive home matches in the Premier League since a February defeat against Mikel Arteta's side.
Villa had never won 15 top-flight home matches in a row but smashed that glass ceiling thanks to McGinn, who struck early during a flying start from the hosts.
Villa were unable to sustain their intensity and had Diego Carlos to thank for two goal-line clearances, while Kai Havertz's late equaliser was disallowed for handball as Emery's side clung on to a win that surely confirms their status as Premier League title contenders.
Anyone reserving judgement on Villa’s title credentials until after they hosted Manchester City and Arsenal this week has surely been converted to the cause.
After outplaying the champions in a 1-0 victory on Wednesday, Villa burst out the traps against last-season’s runners-up, as if determined to prove they deserve to be taken seriously as potential league winners.
Arsenal struggled to break out of their own half and were behind after just seven minutes when McGinn swivelled and then swept past David Raya to finish a slick attack.
But Villa’s win over City came 24 hours after Arsenal’s dramatic victory at Luton and the extra rest afforded to the visitors began to pay dividends as they wrestled control of the game.
Arteta, sat in the stands due to a touchline ban, saw Carlos race back to clear Gabriel Martinelli’s deft shot with Emiliano Martinez beaten.
Martin Odegaard then fired straight at the Villa goalkeeper with the goal gaping, before Carlos again hacked clear after Martinez and Ollie Watkins almost conspired to score an own goal.
Odegaard then spurned another chance and Arsenal were further frustrated when Douglas Luiz's challenge on Gabriel Jesus in the area went unpunished.
With an Arsenal goal seeming inevitable, Emery turned to his bench to inject some much-needed energy into the encounter - and quickly saw his side enjoy a second wind.
Lucas Digne fired a powerful shot straight at Raya, who then kept out Watkins as Villa looked to secure the points.
But after scoring in stoppage time to win at Luton, Arsenal looked to have produced another late show to claim a point when Havertz bundled the ball over the line.
However, referee Jarred Gillett immediately signalled for handball against the Germany international - a decision that was confirmed by a lengthy VAR check, with the ball appearing to touch his hand before it crossed the line.
With the seconds ticking down, Arteta didn't even wait for the final whistle, making a hasty exit from his position in the stands as he faced up to a defeat that leaves his side just a point above Villa.
Emery insisted winning 15 matches in a row at Villa Park is such a spectacular achievement that he won't be able to repeat it in his career.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I've never achieved this and I won't again in my future as a coach. It's amazing, brilliant.
"This week was the most difficult week, having Man City and Arsenal here, but after it we have to try to understand we are competing well. The next challenge will be Sheffield United and another tough match.
"It is brilliant here at Villa Park with our supporters and how they are supporting us."
However, Emery refused to entertain the idea of Villa being title contenders, saying: "I will speak again when we are in game 30, 32 and if we are in the same position as now then maybe I can speak about it.
"At the beginning we are not a contender, it is only game 16. We are in [the top four] and we have to try to keep it. It is difficult."
Unlike after their controversial defeat at Newcastle earlier this season, Arteta refused to discuss the decision to rule out Havertz's goal and the call not to punish Douglas Luiz's tackle on Gabriel Jesus in the box.
"I prefer not to comment," said the Arsenal boss when questioned on the disallowed goal by Sky Sports, before saying the Jesus incident was "even clearer".
Arteta was also unhappy at the chances his side missed, saying: "It was a really good performance. I thought we were the better team and we didn't deserve to lose the game at all but this is football.
"You have to put the ball in the net and that's the only thing we missed today because we generated some big, big chances. Villa didn't create anything but we still lost the game.
"Villa are a good side and in a really good moment now. We have to congratulate them."
Sky Sports' Joe Shread:
"This week always felt pivotal in deciding whether Villa are contenders or pretenders. After seeing off City and Arsenal, the verdict is in. They’re the real deal.
"Defeats in both matches could have left Emery’s side 10 points off the summit. Instead, they became the first Premier League side in 21 years to beat the previous season’s first- and second-placed sides in back-to-back games.
"This performance was nothing like Wednesday’s, when they blew away Pep Guardiola’s side. With fatigue clearly playing a role, Villa were forced to rely on Martinez, some well-timed substitutions and their remarkable offside trap.
"But in some ways, it was just as impressive. They were able to hold firm against a better-rested Arsenal despite spending much of the game on the back foot, with Carlos in particular a rock in defence.
"As 2024 beckons, Villa are just two points off top spot and five clear of City. You don’t have to call them favourites but there’s no doubt that Emery’s side are in the mix for the title."
Aston Villa have secured a top-two spot in Group E of the Europa Conference League and will finish first if they avoid defeat to Zrinjski on Thursday December 14; kick-off 5.45pm.
Villa then head to Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday December 17; kick-off 2pm.
Arsenal have already qualified from Group B in the Champions League and finish on Tuesday December 12 with a trip to PSV, who are also through; kick-off 5.45pm.
The Gunners return to league action on Sunday December 17 at home to Brighton; kick-off 2pm.
