Aston Villa vs Arsenal result: Dean Smith’s side give themselves a fighting chance of Premier League survival with heroic win

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal: Hosts lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a huge victory over Mikel Arteta’s FA Cup finalists

It only takes one glance at the North Stand, the tiers divided by the words of the commentary of Peter Withe’s 1982 European Cup final winner, to serve as a reminder that Aston Villa have had better days. But not too many, especially recently.

It was their finest since last May’s play-off final. If Dean Smith could have scripted it, it would scarcely have gone much better. Manchester City’s thrashing of Watford cancelled out a relegation rival’s superior goal difference and suggested the managerless Hornets are in freefall. Then Villa did their part to elevate themselves from the drop zone. With a game to go, they are the right side of the dotted line. They rose to the challenge, stirringly and superbly.

They had not registered a league win over the elite all season. That all changed: if, that is, Arsenal still qualify among the elite. They will now finish eighth, ninth or 10th. Their routes into Europe have been halved. They will only be in continental competition if they win the FA Cup.

But, having beaten the teams Mikel Arteta described as Europe’s two best in a week, they lost to one who kicked off as officially the Premier League’s third worst. In fairness, Arsenal were drained by heroic exploits, damaged by the need to rotate. But they also encountered energetic and organised opponents. Villa’s defence was poor and porous for much of the season. Not here as they denied Arsenal a shot on target.

Admittedly, there was a sizeable let-off when Eddie Nketiah headed Nicolas Pepe’s corner onto the post and it rebounded straight to Pepe Reina. Otherwise, the veteran was well protected. A sliding Ezri Konsa made a terrific block to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shot out. Tyrone Mings made clearance after clearance. There was plenty of attacking intent from Arteta when Pepe and Joe Willock joined Alexandre Lacazette, Aubameyang and Nketiah on the pitch, but Arsenal encountered resolute resistance. Villa showed the cohesion and commitment Watford had lacked.

They also fashioned the decisive goal. Not since the winner in Euro 2000 has a Trezeguet made such an impact in July. It felt fitting a midfielder and a winger combined for it. Smith has assembled a group with a blend of technique, invention and pace who make Villa eminently watchable.

Conor Hourihane’s left foot makes him a set-piece specialist and he delivered the out-swinging corner. Trezeguet met it, the thump of a half-volley echoing around Villa Park as he dispatched his third goal in two home games into the bottom corner of the net.

The Egyptian has compensated for Jack Grealish’s summer drought. The captain ought to have recorded a first assist since February when he sent Keinan Davis surging clear, but the substitute skewed a shot wide. Yet the result reduced the chance this will be Grealish’s last game at Villa Park as a Villa player. He collapsed to the turf at the final whistle, exhausted by bandy-legged endeavour.

He has 90 minutes more to help save his boyhood club. Villa visit West Ham. Watford are at Arsenal. Bournemouth take their faint hopes to Goodison Park. But the night when Villa could have gone down ended with them assuming the advantage. Unlike Withe and co, they will not be facing Bayern Munich next season. But perhaps they will not be playing Rotherham, either.