Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Premier League – as it happened (2024)

That, then, is us. There’s still silly amounts going on, so stick with us for the rest of the weekend, but otherwise, peace out.

Finally, I’ve just remembered that, in the maelstrom of the closing stages, I neglected to congratulate Diego Carlos – named player of the match by Gary Neville. And rightly so, he was exceptional today, helping keep Villa in the game when they were under pressure first half.

“A perfect away performance,” surmises Ollie Watkins, noting how well Arsenal have been playing and controlling games. Emi Martinez, meanwhile – who celebrated the win every bit as well as you hope – says he still loves Arsenal, having grown up there, but he’s delighted.

Back to Watkins, he thinks a lot of people doubted Villa, thinking they play good football but couldn’t come to Arsenal and win, so he’s pleased to have shown them to the contrary.

On his terrific save from Trossard, Martinez says he works hard on his flexibility, then that Watkins should be player of the season; Watkins is touched.

And here’s Ed Aarons’ match report.

Oh man, we’ve just seen the first goal again, and what a run and jump Emery involved. There was a lot of pain, embarrassment, pride and relief in that.

A year ago, almost to the day…

One of the great sporting days of the year is under way, and the great Scott Murray is on-hand to bring it to you.

“In the Ireland of my youth,” says Justin Kavanagh, “the only mention of Arsenal in the local Catholic church would be in confession; you were either confessing to cursing the holy trinity of Brady, O’Leary, and Stapleton for losing (or missing internationals through dodgy injuries); or else the priest was giving you the penance of watching ‘boring, boring Arsenal.’”

Granit Xhaka is a champion!

Elsewhere:

Some Arsenal fans have stayed and we peruse their miserable coupons as the away end bounces. The course of dealing – Arsenal tossing stuff, City doing the necessary almost every year – has totally flattened them. Suddenly, the midweek trip to Bayern looks daunting, and a game away at Wolves next Saturday night extremely challenging.

The gap is only two points, but it’s hard not to imagine today as the definitive one in this season’s title race. Arsenal lose, Liverpool lose, and City lead the way; Villa are beautifully placed to make the Champions League.

90+8 min Arsenal have sent on Nketiah for Zinchenko, I must’ve missed that after the second goal.

90+8 min The Emirates is half-empty now, which feels harsh given the effort their team have given them, but anyone who knows anything about football will know how much the home fans are hurting right now. This thing of ours, mates – there’s nothing remotely like it is there?

90+6 min Emery paces up and down the touchline; this performance and these points will mean so much to him. What a job he’s done and is doing; how far can he take it?

90+5 min City look likely to end the day two points clear, and it’s hard to see anyone catching them from there, not because it’s impossible, unprecedented or anything close, but it’s so rare to see a challenger win the title from behind. City did it in 2012 but they’re a much better side than the United one that collapsed and they still needed a head-to-head to make it happen; Arsenal did it in 1998, but city aren’t getting the injuries United had then.

90+4 min Villa look more likely to find a third than Arsenal a first and Bailey opulls right then flicks a pass inside that Watkins can’t quite collect.

90+3 min “Pep was already celebrating after the thrashing of Luton last night and talking up City’s title chances,” writes Rick Harris. “Liverpool and Arsenal are now playing for second place. Watkins has scored as I predicted earlier. I think he is on the plane ahead of Toney for the Euros.”

I’m not sure – I think Toney’s all-round game is quite a lot better, his finishing too. Watkins gives you a threat in behind, but if it’s one or t’other I’m going t’other.

90 min We’ll have eight additional minutes. Villa fans won’t even be nervous, so dominant have they been since the break.

90 min So yeah, about that title race for the ages. Er, I’m beginning to think the team with the most money, bankrolled by a petro-state, might sneak a fourth consecutive title and a sixth in seven years. You simply cannot beat oor league.

88 min I can’t really make excuses for Arsenal – Villa took a while to settle but have dominated the second half, quicker to the ball, more intelligent in possession and with better movement into space. Unai Emery knows his soccer, people.

A channel ball and Watkins is away! Smith Rowe is last man and he’s easily held off on the run from halfway, then Raya goes down early and a gorgeous finish soars over his head! sat on his couch, Pep Guardiola now makes Muttley look like Morrissey!

A ball down the side when a corner isn’t cleared properly and Digne, down the left, swivels into a fantastic low cross that races through the corridor, no one able to touch it but Torres’ near-post run taking out the keeper, and when the ball arrives at the feet of Bailey, beyond the fap, he composes, keeps his head down, and punches a sidefooter that sends east Manchester into raptures! Villa have earned the absolute arse out of that.

83 min Arsenal have been so, so poor second half, unable to get going. For that, credit goes to Villa, but Arteta might now feel he picked the wrong team BUT EXCUSE ME WHILE I INTERRUPT MYSELF!

82 min “Sorry to ruin your synagogue stat,” ruins Ben Littlewood, “but Spurs failed to win the league in 16-17 despite having the best attacking and defensive record. I am hoping Arsenal can repeat this feat.”

Ahahahaha, of course they did. Thanks, I shall pass on your information to the mate currently sat at the Emirates, platzing. I’m certain he’ll be delighted to learn the truth.

80 min In comms, Gary Nev imagines Guardiola sat on his couch – I dunno, does he even have one? I’d assumed some kind of therapeutic chair – “Laughing like Muttley.” That’s a tremendous image; does that make Sheikh Mansour Dick Dastardly?

78 min Two more changes for Arsenal, Odegaard passing the armband to Jesus who passes it to the arriving Jorginho – before departing. He was Sven’s England, pretty much, first half good, second half not so good; Smith Rowe is also introduced, Jesus coming off. Villa, meanwhile, bring on Moreno for Zaniolo.

77 min “Okay, I’ll bite,” begins Luis Suarez Adam Klineschoder, “How on earth did football statistics come up during synagogue?” The Hebrew term for synagogue, Bet Knesset, means house of meeting not house oif prayer, and be very sure there’s plenty of shmoozing that goes on in its environs, much of it about football – though there’s also cricket chat and whisky chat.

76 min This time, Arsenal clear and counter, but Villa quickly recover possession and this is slipping away from the title challengers.

75 min This time, Tielemans goes near post, Watkins shoves Jesus out of it, and Tomiyasu bends double to head with the ball inches off the ground; Torres collects, swivels into a shot, and it’s blocked behind for another corner.