Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday to climb 5 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League desk forward of Manchester Metropolis’s conflict with Sunderland on New Yr’s Day.
The Gunners scored the primary 4 of 5 second-half objectives in north London in opposition to Unai Emery’s aspect, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all discovering the web earlier than Ollie Watkins’ comfort strike in stoppage time.
Day by day Mail Sport’s TOM COLLOMOSSE was available to charge the gamers’ performances on Tuesday night, with Mikel Arteta’s aspect set to move into 2026 with a five-point cushion over their title rivals.
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA 7
Regardless of Villa’s spectacular counter-attacking within the opening half, Raya was by no means severely examined and had a quiet night – till the exceptional stoppage time save from McGinn.
JURRIEN TIMBER 7
Buendia just isn’t the kind of winger to check a full-back’s velocity and Timber stored him at arm’s size.
Arsenal will head into 2026 5 factors clear on the prime of the league after beating Aston Villa
Martin Zubimendi (proper) was on the scoresheet as Mikel Arteta’s aspect gained 4-1 on the Emirates
WILLIAM SALIBA 8
Stored sincere by Watkins early on however overpowered him ultimately and produced an excellent interception to chop out a cross from Sancho – despite the fact that the Villa man was offside.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES 7.5
Caught flat-footed by Tielemans’ tremendous move for Rogers however together with Saliba, he ensured Raya was not often troubled. Was on the tip of the customary Arsenal set piece to move the opener.
PIERO HINCAPIE 7
Requested to contribute to the Gunners’ assaults from left-backs, he produced a wonderful cross that Gyokeres headed over and was usually harmful.
MARTIN ODEGAARD 7.5
Comparatively quiet begin from the skipper as Villa tried to close down the hyperlink between the Norwegian and Saka. His class shone by means of for the second purpose, although, as he robbed Sancho earlier than organising Zubimendi.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI 6.5
Required to drop into the again three to construct when Villa dropped off, his passes have been too secure, too usually. However when he did transfer ahead, he scored the essential second purpose.
MIKEL MERINO 5
On the left of the midfield three, struggled to discover a foothold within the sport and was fortunate to not decide up a second reserving for hauling down Rogers.
Martin Odegaard’s class shone by means of for the second purpose with a masterful help
BUKAYO SAKA 6
Emery had labored arduous to chop the provision line to the England winger and when he did take the ball, he had Digne and Buendia for firm.
VIKTOR GYOKERES 5
Arsenal’s large summer time signing missed two good headed possibilities within the first half and was fortunate when he was caught napping by Konsa however Watkins missed the possibility.
LEANDRO TROSSARD 7
Like Saka on the other flank, he was usually confronted by two Villa gamers. One cross for Gyokeres ought to have pressured a save from Martinez. Nice strike for the third purpose.
SUBSTITUTES
CHRISTIAN NORGAARD 6 (for Merino, 73)
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY 6 (for Gabriel, 77)
GABRIEL JESUS 7 (for Gyokeres, 77)
Instantaneous influence – sensible strike for the fourth purpose after so many troubles with damage.
MANAGER MIKEL ARTETA 8
No matter he mentioned at half-time labored as his workforce have been reworked after the break. Assertion outcome for the Gunners within the absence of key midfielder Declan Rice.
Leandro Trossard produced an excellent strike for Arsenal’s third purpose, placing the sport to mattress
ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1)
EMILIANO MARTINEZ 5
Initially seemed in his aspect again at his former membership, winding up the house followers by taking an age over restarts. One very good ball discovered Sancho – however what a poor mistake for the opener that set the tone for the match.
LAMARE BOGARDE 6
No straightforward activity to exchange the suspended Matty Money, ready that isn’t his favorite. With Sancho’s assist, he did an sufficient job earlier than switching again to midfield.
EZRI KONSA 6.5
Robust first half, exhibiting his traditional anticipation expertise and almost organising the opener for Watkins with an outstanding interception and cost ahead.
VICTOR LINDELOF 5.5
Caught below the ball for Gyokeres’ early likelihood and although he was not as safe as Konsa, he didn’t let anybody down within the first half – however seemed ragged after the break.
LUCAS DIGNE 6
Most popular to Ian Maatsen for this one, the Frenchman did a good job in opposition to Saka although he lacks Maatsen’s attacking panache.
Aston Villa defender Victor Lindelof was strong within the first half however seemed ragged after the break
JADON SANCHO 5
Handed a uncommon begin, the on-loan Manchester United winger had an vital tactical job serving to out Bogarde however after a strong first 45, he was caught napping for the second purpose.
AMADOU ONANA 7
When Villa had area it suited him to a tee and two thrilling bursts by means of the center of the pitch might need yielded extra for his workforce. Compelled off with damage at half-time
YOURI TIELEMANS 7
With Boubacar Kamara suspended, Tielemans took on a few of his defensive work whereas persevering with to create, because the gorgeous lengthy move for Rogers within the first half confirmed. One of many final to succumb.
EMI BUENDIA 5.5
Used on the left as Rogers slotted in nearer to Watkins, Buendia labored arduous to assist out Digne although he didn’t carry a lot menace the opposite approach.
MORGAN ROGERS 6
Over-powered Arsenal down the left three weeks in the past however was given a central position right here, the place Arsenal dealt with him much better than they did at Villa Park.
OLLIE WATKINS 6
His motion and hold-up play have been extra just like the Watkins of outdated – although he missed one early likelihood that he would have buried when in prime type. Hit the publish earlier than scoring in stoppage time.
Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who scored in stoppage time, missed an important alternative early on
SUBSTITUTES
JOHN McGINN 5.5 (for Onana, 46)
The captain was introduced on sooner than anticipated and was by no means going to have the ability to reproduce the operating energy of Onana. Missed a sitter in stoppage time.
DONYELL MALEN 6 (for Sancho, 61)
Appeared shiny when he was thrown on at 2-0 down to affix Watkins up entrance.
ANDRES GARCIA 5 (for Buendia, 61)
Has hardly performed in any respect this season and it confirmed when he got here on at right-back.
MANAGER UNAI EMERY 5.5
Like Arteta, he was with out key males in Kamara and Money – however not like Arsenal, Villa should not have the depth to manage. Changing Tielemans and Rogers with children George Hemmings and Jamal Jimoh-Aloba felt like a message forward of January.
