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, 55 minutes
Arsenal are starting to ratchet up the pressure. Unai Emery is preparing another change - and will make the substitution after Youri Tielemans concedes a corner.
Tielemans will, in fact, be the player replaced; Jacob Ramsey and his fresh legs are on in midfield.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 54 minutes
Or not. Saka tries a short one to Martin Odegaard, who had buried himself in a two-man wall. Odegaard is - predictably - squeezed out by the two burlier men just beyond him, leaving Saka disappointed as he seeks a swift return. An odd routine with the box loaded.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 52 minutes
On the other flank, Lucas Digne’s defending is less impressive - the Frenchman is all too easily turned by Bukayo Saka and forced to tug him back. A booking for Digne, his fifth of the season: he’ll miss Aston Villa’s next game.
Danger here, though, for the hosts, with Saka standing over a free kick in a good crossing position.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 51 minutes
Ezri Konsa has produced a couple of timely defensive interventions today, and that’s another useful foot, Konsa extending his toe just in time as Gabriel Martinelli hares after a through pass that looked to have beaten the versatile defender.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 48 minutes
Aston Villa have won all six of the Premier League games they have led at half time this season - they are, generally, good front-runners.
Moussa Diaby picks up the ball in a bit of space and should really do better with his ball out to the right, underweighting it and allowing Arsenal to clear.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 47 minutes
Gabriel Jesus hits the deck under a challenge from Luiz, and immediately the Arsenal players nearby go up. Jarred Gillett says no, and VAR Michael Salisbury concurs - there was contact, but presumably it wasn’t deemed sufficient to have knocked Jesus over.
Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal, 46 minutes
It looks like a switch of foramation from Aston Villa, with Diaby in behind Ollie Watkins. John McGinn and Youri Tielemans are the wider members of a creative three with Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz sitting.
Second half
A half time change for Aston Villa, Moussa Diaby stripped and ready with the second 45 minutes imminent. Leon Bailey was carrying an injury for the final 15 minutes or so of the first half, and is removed.
HT: Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal
Off for some oranges the 22 players go, Aston Villa holding on to their 1-0 lead with Arsenal beginning to threaten after a slow start. The would-be league leaders fell one behind early on when John McGinn provided the finish to a beautiful flowing move, and the game has bubbled along nicely thereafter, with chances at both ends.
It feels very much in the balance, but as things stand, that long Villa Park winning run is remaining intact.
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