Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Gunners suffer shock defeat
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins turned the title race on its head as Unai Emery claimed a Premier League double over his former team
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Arsenal blew the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table as Aston Villa bolstered their Champions League hopes by claiming a stunning 2-0 win at the Emirates - a result that leaves the title race in the hands of the defending champions Manchester City with six games to go.
On a dramatic day in the Premier League that also saw Liverpool slip up at home to Crystal Palace, with Jurgen Klopp’s side beaten 1-0 at Anfield, Mikel Arteta’s challengers could not take advantage as they too fell to a damaging defeat in the title race.
The Gunners were seven wins from their first title in 20 years, but City are now two points clear at the top after Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck second-half goals and Unai Emery returned to the Emirates to earn a league double against his former team.
Arsenal started well and had the majority of the early chances but it was the visitors who almost took the lead as Ollie Watkins struck both posts following an effort from Gabriel - although Emery’s side then needed goalkeeper Emi Martinez to make a stunning save from point-blank range to deny Leandro Trossard 37 seconds later.
Villa took charge after half time, and struck the frame of the goal again when Youri Tielmans hit both the bar and the post with a bending shot that almost found the top corner. Bailey came off the bench to arrive at the back post and steer Villa in front, before Watkins doubled Villa’s lead with a chipped finish just two minutes later.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
41 mins: CLOSE! Saka cuts inside and is inches away from finding the bottom corner, with Martinez scrambling!
Then Jesus leads the break, but Trossard is caught by Carlos as Villa clear! Jesus’s pass was a bit behind Trossard, I think, .
Arteta turns and asks for more from the Arsenal fans.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
39 mins: WHAT A SAVE!
A huge stop from Martinez! Then, right at the other end, Jesus picks out Trossard with a cut-back and Arsenal look certain to take the lead.
But Martinez sticks out a huge foot - and somehow keeps it out from point-blank range!
What a game!
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
39 mins: OFF THE POST!
Wow - let off for Arsenal! It’s almost a huge mix-up at the back between Gabriel and Zinchenko, as Watkins is released! He strikes across goal but hits BOTH posts and the shot somehow stays out!
Watkins and Villa could not have come closer to taking the lead!
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
38 mins: Another wave of Arsenal attacks - as Odegaard plays a central role. First Rice made a burst and shimmy in the box, but Carlos cut out his cross. Then Saka’s header went just over, after Havertz dug a cross out.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
36 mins: Villa faced an early storm but are they through the worst of it before half time?
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
35 mins: The Arsenal fans aren’t happy as Zinchenko boots the ball out of play with Zaniolo down. Ben White is booked for pulling down the Italian.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
32 mins: Ooooh. Another half-chance from Villa on the break as Diaby made the run beyond Zinchenko and would have been in if the pass had been played a touch lighter, or earlier.
Villa still without a shot on target, but their threat is growing after surviving Arsenal’s quick start.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
31 mins: How will Arsenal’s nerves be if Villa get into half-time at 0-0? Emery’s side survive a corner from the right and then some penalty appeals as Trossard goes down in the box under the challenge of Carlos. It’s quickly waved away.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
29 mins: Great defending from Diego Carlos! Havertz is released after a third-man run from midfield. He gets back just in time to force the corner, after Villa’s high line was exposed.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
27 mins: A good tempo to the game, this. Villa get a decent spell in Arsenal’s half after absorbing lots of pressure - but Konsa’s cross drifts out from the byline.
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