Arsenal 0 Aston Villa 2: Unai Emery gets revenge on former employers to gift Man City upper hand in Prem title race

UNAI EMERY watched his Aston Villa side torpedo the title charge of his former club Arsenal with two late strikes. 

Emery, sacked by the Gunners just 18 months after he had succeeded Arsene Wenger as manager, has masterminded a league double over Arsenal, which may ultimately cost them the Premier League title.

Reuters

Reuters

Reuters

Reuters

Reuters

The Gunners blew their chance to replace Manchester City at top of the table as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins fired Villa into a win which boosts their own hopes of Champions League qualification.

Arsenal had peppered Villa’s goal in the first half but Emery’s side dominated the second half. 

Watkins fired against the inside of a post before half-time and Youri Tielemans struck the bar and the upright before a late one-two earned Villa a victory. 

It was the first time Arsenal had dropped league points in 2024 and it was a Sunday to cherish for Pep Guardiola as City’s two title rivals were both beaten at home to leave the champions on course for a fourth successive crown. 

Liverpool’s staggering home defeat by Crystal Palace had caused widespread joy among the home support before kick-off – but a little trepidation too. 

More than ever, the title appeared to be Arsenal’s to lose. Would they revert to type and balls it all up? 

Arteta went positive with his team selection, no Jorginho, with Kai Havertz in midfield behind Gabriel Jesus up top. 

The hosts did most of the early attacking, Odegaard orchestrating, Saka tormenting, but Villa sat tight. 

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Emi Martinez pushed out a Havertz shot, Saka centred to the back stick, there Jesus headed wide and then Saka shot into the side-netting from a surgical Odegaard pass.

Oleksandr Zinchenko attempted to lob Martinez from 40 yards and then Jesus had a shot block after he’d skewered Pau Torres with a smart turn. Odegaard released Havertz but Diego Carlos robbed him.  

Nicolo Zaniolo rolled around feigning injury own while Arsenal attacked, Zinchenko kicked the ball out, sparking uproar.

It was getting anxious at the Emirates. Emery struck agitated poses in the technical area. A middle-aged woman made an obscene hand gesture at Arsenal’s former manager. 

And then, out of nowhere, Villa nearly scored. It was a dozy pass from Zinchenko which allowed Ollie Watkins to advance and ping a shot against the inside of the post.

Stung, Arsenal counter-attacked, Jesus crossed long for Trossard, whose close range shot was saved by the Villa keeper’s foot. 

“Emi Martinez, the world’s No 1,” sang the visiting fans but Trossard should have scored.  

Saka curled one narrowly wide of the far post but the first half ended in frustration for the Gunners. 

Just after the hour, Villa struck the woodwork for a second time – and, again, it looked for all the world as though they had scored. 

Zinchenko, a weak link for Arsenal, was caught dawdling by the edge of the box and was robbed by Youri Tielemans, who let rip with a powerful curling effort which careered back off the underside of the crossbar and the foot of the post. 

A Jesus shot was pushed out by Martinez but Villa were growing in confidence and getting on top. 

Diego Carlos attempted an overhead kick but ended up booting Odegaard in the head. The Arsenal skipper was taken off soon after, making way for Emile Smith Rowe.   

But six minutes from time, Villa struck. A low cross from Lucas Digne evaded Gabriel Marguelhes, William Saliba and Declan Rice, allowing Bailey to poke in at the far post. 

Within a couple of minutes, it was far worse, Jorginho lost possession and Tielemans produced a sweeping pass which caught Arsenal with their pants down.

Smith Rowe was left as the covering defender but Watkins held him off and produced the coolest of finishes to lift his shot over David Raya and into the far corner.