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 vs Arsenal
Almost go time at Villa Park. Remember, Mikel Arteta will be watching on from the directors’ box this evening after being shown a third yellow card of the season at Luton. Assistant Albert Stuivenberg is likely to be delivering the key touchline messages.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Kick off creeping ever nearer at Villa Park. Aston Villa will still be well placed in the top four chase even if they are beaten tonight, but it feels like the sort of occasion on which they can make a real statement of intent. They were so, so good against Manchester City, completely shutting the champions down, but backing up that sort of performance is the mark of a top team.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Leon Bailey was excellent against Manchester City, and his match-up with Oleksandr Zinchenko could be an area Aston Villa look to attack today. Zinchenko is a key part of Arsenal’s possession play, but there is a thought that the converted midfielder can be a little bit vulnerable defensively. Moussa Diaby is a handy bench option, too.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
David Raya was probably glad that Aaron Ramsdale didn’t quite take his chance against Brentford a couple of weeks ago, with the Spaniard yet to convince after being given the gloves in the Premier League by Mikel Arteta. The goalkeeper should, really, have kept out Ross Barkley’s strike at Kenilworth Road having also flapped at a corner for Luton’s second goal. A solid, secure performance might go somewhere towards Raya really establishing himself.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
That Manchester United defeat keeps them sixth, but a positive result of any kind for Newcastle at Tottenham tomorrow will see Erik ten Hag’s side drop down. Brighton would have gone above them, too, if they’d beaten Burnley - but an excellent battling performance has earned Vincent Kompany’s side a valuable point against Brighton.
Aston Villa, remember, start tonight’s game four points behind their opponents, with Arsenal looking to move back to the top of the table after being beaten by lunchtime winners Liverpool.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
A bit of news from elsewhere before we focus more fully on tonight’s action - and it’s a famous day for Bournemouth, who have had a fourth goal chalked off but remain three to the good at Old Trafford. So much for Manchester United turning a corner with an impressive perforamnce against Chelsea...
Arsenal midfield gets another go
Kai Havertz keeps his place in the Arsenal midfield, with the German and Martin Odegaard offering plenty of creativity but perhaps leaving Declan Rice with plenty to do in a defensive sense. Arsenal were a little loose at Luton, and you wonder what the narrative might have been this week had Rice not popped up with that latest of late winners, but it’s a dynamic, attacking line-up that will surely look to take it to an Aston Villa defensive structure that so stymied Manchester City.
Unai Emery calls for Villa to remain calm in chase for Champions League place
Unai Emery admitted Aston Villa’s Champions League chase is on but called for calm in their quest for the top four.
Villa host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday following Wednesday’s impressive 1-0 win over champions Manchester City.
It lifted them to third in the table - just four points behind the Gunners - having won their last 14 top-flight home games, equalling a club record previously done in 1931 and 1903.
“(Qualifying for the Champions League) of course is a big motivation for us. Every place now is important for us,” said Villa boss Emery, ahead of the meeting with his former club.
“We can wait until match 30 or 32 in case we are in the top four in that moment, then maybe we can think we are contenders to be there.
“Now, we have to be happy and we have to be focused. The match on Wednesday is finished and we enjoyed that moment with our supporters in Villa Park, but now we have to focus 100 per cent on the match.
“Again, it’s a big challenge and a great moment but we’re very focused on our professional work for the match.”
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
So pretty familiar line-ups, as was to be expected with these two sides in such good form. Arsenal were the last team to win at Villa Park some 14 home matches ago for Unai Emery’s side - and that victory was only achieved thanks to a couple of stoppage time goals.
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