Arsenal produced a devastating second-half display to defeat Aston Villa 4-1 at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, ensuring they end the year five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
After a tense, goalless first half, Mikel Arteta’s side struck four times after the break to emphatically snap Villa’s 11-match winning streak. The victory puts the Gunners in a commanding position in the title race, piling pressure on second-placed Manchester City ahead of their New Year’s Day trip to Sunderland.
The deadlock was broken three minutes into the second half by centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes. Making his first start since recovering from a November injury, the Brazilian bundled the ball home from a corner. Despite vigorous appeals from Villa players claiming a foul on goalkeeper Emi Martinez, the goal was allowed to stand.
The opener forced the game open, and Arsenal ruthlessly capitalized. Captain Martin Odegaard, instrumental throughout, won possession in midfield before threading a precision pass to Martin Zubimendi, who poked the finish past Martinez to double the advantage. Leandro Trossard effectively ended the contest shortly after, driving a low shot into the net from the edge of the area following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for offside.
Substitute Gabriel Jesus added a flourish to the scoreline, curling a strike past Martinez to make it 4-0, before Ollie Watkins tapped in a stoppage-time goal for the visitors. It was a mere consolation on a sobering evening for Unai Emery’s side, who had arrived in north London as the league’s form team.
Villa, missing the suspended Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara, had arrived with a game plan to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm—a tactic that proved effective during the first 45 minutes. However, they failed to convert their early opportunities, with Watkins going close before the break. Once their defensive shape collapsed following Gabriel’s opener, they were unable to contain the league leaders.
The result caps a stellar year for Arsenal, who have suffered just two league defeats this season. For Villa, it marks a first loss in 12 matches, leaving them six points off the summit. Despite the heavy defeat, Emery’s side remain in a strong position, though the Spaniard may look to the January transfer window for reinforcements after seeing his squad stretched by the title contenders.
Both teams face a quick turnaround for their next fixtures on Saturday, 3 January. Arsenal travel to Bournemouth (17:30 GMT), while Aston Villa look to bounce back when they host Nottingham Forest (12:30 GMT).
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