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
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Your support makes all the difference.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 1-0 Arsenal, 85 minutes
Leandro Trossard goes down and stays down after Matty Cash takes ball and then man. It’s only a brush of Trossard’s ankle, but a sore one, clearly, with Arsenal forced to put the ball out of play. No treatment required, though - the Belgian is up and limping back into position.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 84 minutes
That’s not great from Dendoncker, either, looking to switch play with his weaker left boot and slicing his pass some distance away from Alex Moreno. Out of play it skids, thudding into the advertising hoardings.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 82 minutes
Nketiah draws a foul from Leander Dendoncker as the replacement striker drops deep. Aston Villa still throwing themselves into those tackles as they look to cling on to this narrow advantage.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 82 minutes
Arsenal make their second witch, with another freshening of the forward options. Gabriel Jesus off; Eddie Nketiah on.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 79 minutes
It looks like it will have to be late drama for Arsenal again. Up in the rafters, Mikel Arteta perches his chin on a hand, wiping at his eyes with his fingers with his side just having lost control of the game again.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 78 minutes
Cash nips in again, forcing Declan Rice into a foul. A first booking, remarkably, of the season for the former West Ham midfielder.
Aston Villa make their fifth and final change. Alex Moreno replaces Lucas Digne, who was booked earlier.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 76 minutes
Gabriel Magalhaes rises with command to head it clear.
Matty Cash picks up a loose ball to prevent a counter-attack and spots his opportunity, driving forward full of intent and unfurling an effort. Not quite - bending by David Raya’s left-hand post with the Arsenal goalkeeper not overly troubled.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 75 minutes
Jacob Ramsey and Lucas Digne exchange six passes in a private game of keep-ball towards the left corner. Ramsey forces Declan Rice to concede a corner.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 72 minutes
An excellent battle between Ollie Watkins and William Saliba as the pair contest for a bouncing ball, evenly matched for a while before the Arsenal defender asserts himself with a muscular (and legal) shove.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 72 minutes
Leander Dendoncker can’t realese Moussa Diaby, the Belgian not starting his curling pass far enough out to the right to bend it around the defender.
Arsenal look to counter and John McGinn’s trip is punished with a yellow card.
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