Aston Villa v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Kai Havertz denied late equaliser

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal: John McGinn’s early goal was enough for Unai Emery’s side as they moved to within two points of the top of the table

Huge credit to Villa and Emery for their turnaround - Arteta

Aston Villa continued their remarkable home winning run with a gutsy 1-0 win over Arsenal that lifted Unai Emery’s side to within two points of the top of the Premier League table.

Having out-played Manchester City earlier in the week, Villa produced a performance of real defensive strength to hold on after John McGinn’s early goal. The tireless home captain was emblematic of an industrious performance as the visitors suffered a set back in their chase for the title.

Arsenal had been knocked off top spot by Liverpool’s win earlier on Saturday, and missed a series of chances to suffer just a second defeat of the season. With Mikel Arteta watching on from the stands due to a touchline ban, Kai Havertz’s late leveller was ruled out after referee Jarred Gillett deemed the ball to have brushed the midfielder’s hand just before he converted from close range.

And with Aston Villa now just a point behind their opponents after a 15th consecutive home league win, there will be growing belief among the Villa Park faithful that their team can continue to mix it with the established big boys.

Re-live all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

• Aston Villa climb to within two points of the top of the Premier League table with an impressive win
• FT: Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
• 90’ Kai Havertz equaliser disallowed for handball
• 58’ Aston Villa saved by the woodwork before Martin Odegaard misses a great chance
• 36’ Off the line! Diego Carlos spares his goalkeeper’s blushes
• GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-0 Arsenal (John McGinn, 7 minutes)

[9 December 2023 18:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 71 minutes

It’ll be Declan Rice to take, a firm strike under the wall clever if not for the presence of new man Trossard beyond the leaping Aston Villa quartet. It squirms through the Belgian and into Emiliano Martinez’s grasp - clearly, Trossard had not been appropriately briefed about Rice’s intention on arrival.

[9 December 2023 18:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 69 minutes

That’s poor from Gabriel Jesus, all alone in the Aston Villa box but unable to take a knee high pass. Arsenal win a free kick on the edge of the area soon after, and make a change - Leandro Trossard is on for Gabriel Martinelli.

[9 December 2023 18:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 68 minutes

Sharp save! It’s Moussa Diaby again providing the threat, too quick for Arsenal’s centre-half pairing and getting to John McGinn’s hopeful forward hoist. He seeks a shot but finds his path blocked, wisely pivoting to a pass that Ollie Watkins turns goalwards. There’s plenty of power behind Watkins’s shot but David Raya gets low and slaps it away.

[9 December 2023 18:54 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 66 minutes

A double switch for Aston Villa. Matty Cash is on for Ezri Konsa at right back, while Leander Dendoncker freshens things up in holding midfield, with Boubacar Kamara taking leave.

[9 December 2023 18:53 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 64 minutes

Moussa Diaby is just starting to fizz, the French forward striding up the right and trying to force a shot past David Raya at the near post. Raya had left a gap, but might a cross stood up to the far stick for Ollie Watkins have been a better option? Regardless, you fancy Diaby will have a better chance at some point as Arsenal press bodies forward in search of an equaliser.

[9 December 2023 18:51 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 63 minutes

Douglas Luiz is shown a yellow card - that’s his fifth of the season, and he’ll join Lucas Digne on the sidelines for their next game against Brentford.

It looks like Unai Emery is preparing another couple of alterations.

[9 December 2023 18:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 62 minutes

Arsenal have the ball in the net - but the flag’s up! A long ball sets Bukayo Saka free, and Emiliano Martinez is lobbed, but the England attacker had gone too soon.

[9 December 2023 18:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 60 minutes

The home fans lift the noise, perhaps recognising that their team are flagging a little and in need of a gee-up. It seems to work, John McGinn bursting out of midfield and connecting with Moussa Diaby, who finds an arriving Lucas Digne. Digne cuts across the ball as he puts his laces through it, but David Raya is strongly behind it.

[9 December 2023 18:47 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 58 minutes

A bad miss! Arsenal are right on top here and should be level, Martin Odegaard presented with a gem of an opportunity but unable to gobble it up. A ball across from the left runs into the midfielder’s path, but his left-footed sweep sends it past the far post with more than half the goal to aim for and Emiliano Martinez beaten.

[9 December 2023 18:46 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 57 minutes

A defensive horror show and Aston Villa are saved by the post! Oh my, nearly a disaster for the home side, Emiliano Martinez flapping like a frightened fowl at a tame corner kick, and patting the ball against the back of Ollie Watkins. It deflects goalwards but takes a healthy enough chunk of the inside of the upright to remain in play and Diego Carlos makes a second goalline clearance of the game to ensure his side remain in front.