Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Gunners secure big win over Premier League title rivals | Football
Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of the Premier League table with a big 4-1 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Viktor Gyokeres had two chances in the first half but headed over from inside the box on both occasions while Ollie Watkins also wasted a golden opportunity to put Aston Villa ahead.
The Gunners went up a level after the break, though, with two goals in the space of four minutes from Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi.
Leandro Trossard made it three after a lengthy VAR check for multiple possible offside offences with Gabriel Jesus scoring the fourth, just one minute after coming off the bench to replace Gyokeres. Watkins pulled one back for the visitors deep into added time but it was far too late.
Here’s how it all unfolded…
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FULL TIME: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa
90+8: There goes the full-time whistle! A huge victory for Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Watkins pulls one back!
90+4: GOAL! David Raya is finally beaten. Ollie Watkins with the goal. But Arsenal won’t care one bit – this game is pretty much all over.
Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa.
Not long to go…
90+4: We’re into the fourth minute of added time here. Eight have been added on in total.
Raya makes remarkable stop!
90+2: How on Earth has Raya kept that out?! For the second game in a row, Raya pulls off an unbelievable save. McGinn is left in disbelief.
Arsenal make two changes
83: White and Madueke come on for Arsenal. They replace Timber and Saka.
Bogarde booked!
82: Villa star Bogarde is shown a yellow card. Not long to go now.
Jesus scores one minute after coming on!
78: GOAL! Gabriel Jesus scores just one minute after being introduced. That’s what happens when you have a proper striker on the pitch!
Trossard with the assist. Jesus is booked for his celebration.
Gabriel goes down and taken off
77: Injury scare for Arsenal as Gabriel goes down and is taken off. He’s replaced by Lewis-Skelly.
Jesus, meanwhile, comes on for Gyokeres.
Norgaard comes on
73: Merino is taken off by Arsenal boss Arteta. Norgaard comes on.
Trossard makes it three!
69: Trossard’s goal stands after a long check from VAR! They were checking for a few possible offside offences… but it’s given in the end.
Timber with the assist there. Arsenal lead 3-0 and it’s surely game over.
Trossard goal being checked by VAR
69: Trossard thinks he’s made it 3-0 – but it looks like the goal will be ruled out for offside. VAR is checking…
Chance for Odegaard!
65: Arsenal are cooking now! They almost make it three via Odegaard but Martinez makes a crucial save.
Villa make double change
63: Sancho and Buendia head to the bench – they’re replaced by Malen and Garcia as Villa boss Emery rolls the dice.
How are the statistics looking now?
60: We’ve just hit the hour mark here at the Emirates. Arsenal are now in firm control.
Zubimendi doubles Arsenal’s lead!
52: GOAL! It’s two in four minutes for Arsenal as Aston Villa fall to pieces! Martin Zubimendi doubles the lead with Martin Odegaard providing the assist.
Gabriel fires Arsenal ahead!
48: GOAL! Gabriel Magalhaes opens the scoring from Bukayo Saka’s corner. The perfect start to the second half for Arsenal!
VAR had a look, with Villa goalkeeper Martinez complaining that he was fouled by the Arsenal centre-back, but the goal is given.
Back underway!
45: McGinn has indeed come on for Villa at the break. He replaces Onana, who went down with injury in the first half but carried on.
Back underway at the Emirates. Let’s play!
McGinn coming on?
HT: Looks like McGinn could be coming off the bench for Villa in the second half… Will confirm shortly.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
That’s the end of the first half! All to play for, with the score 0-0.
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Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Gunners secure big win over Premier League title rivals | Football
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