Match ends, Aston Villa 1, Arsenal 0.
Aston Villa moved to within two points of the summit of the Premier League with a narrow win over Arsenal, who missed out on a chance to go top.
Villa took the lead at Villa Park through skipper John McGinn, who brought Leon Bailey's cross under control before hammering the ball into the net.
Arsenal had a late Kai Havertz effort ruled out for handball by referee Jarred Gillett, with the video assistant referee upholding the call after a lengthy review.
Despite Arsenal pressure, Villa held on to back up their statement victory over champions Manchester City on Wednesday and record a club record 15th straight home league victory.
Defeat will be a blow for title-chasing Arsenal, whose run of six straight wins in all competitions came to an end.
- 'I'm banning the t-word' - are Villa title contenders?
- How did you rate Villa's performance? Have your say here
- What did you make of Arsenal's display? Send us your views here
Are Villa title contenders?
Only in 1980-81, when they last won the title, have Aston Villa taken more points after 16 games of a top-flight season, and there is a real belief that they can break into the top four.
There are even whispers that Unai Emery, once of Arsenal, could manage an outside push for the title.
Villa are the only Premier League club not to have dropped a point from a winning position this season, and, although Arsenal had the better chances after falling behind, Villa did create a few more of their own.
Ollie Watkins forced two good saves from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, one of them when clean through, although the England striker was soon flagged for offside.
In the second period Lucas Digne and Watkins both had shots saved following counter-attacks.
Villa defended with discipline and intensity, ultimately benefitting from a late VAR call to stay third, one point off Arsenal in second place, and win their opening eight home matches in a top-flight season for the first time since 1932-33.
Late VAR drama denies Arsenal
Arsenal started Saturday top of the table, dropping to second after Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace at lunchtime.
Mikel Arteta's side's last defeat had come at Newcastle at the start of November and his team had been enjoying a four-match winning run in the league.
They created plenty of chances at a boisterous Villa Park. Bukayo Saka put a shot wide from close range just before McGinn's opener and Gabriel Martinelli dinked the ball over Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez but saw his effort hacked off the line by Diego Carlos in the first half.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard had good chances from 12 yards out either side of the break. The first was saved by Martinez, while the second skidded wide.
They also had a penalty shout just after half-time when Douglas Luiz caught Gabriel Jesus' ankle in the area, only for the VAR to uphold referee Gillett's decision to wave play on.
The Gunners came close again midway through the second period when a routine corner was spilled by Martinez and deflected off Watkins on to the post before being cleared away with William Saliba lurking.
And Saka had the ball in the net in the second half after dribbling around Martinez but had timed his run a fraction too early.
But the real drama was still to come. In stoppage time Havertz brought down a cross and hacked the ball into the Villa net.
The goal was immediately ruled out on the field, but it took a VAR review to confirm Havertz had inadvertently controlled the ball with his hand.
Arsenal would not create another clear chance, slipping to a second league defeat of the season.
Player of the match
McGinnJohn McGinn
Aston Villa
Avg
- Squad number7Player nameMcGinnAverage rating
8.49
- Squad number31Player nameBaileyAverage rating
7.52
- Squad number6Player nameDouglas LuizAverage rating
7.47
- Squad number14Player nameP TorresAverage rating
7.46
- Squad number3Player nameDiego CarlosAverage rating
7.45
- Squad number1Player nameE MartínezAverage rating
7.41
- Squad number11Player nameWatkinsAverage rating
7.37
- Squad number8Player nameTielemansAverage rating
7.33
- Squad number4Player nameKonsaAverage rating
7.30
- Squad number15Player nameÁlex MorenoAverage rating
7.28
- Squad number2Player nameCashAverage rating
7.27
- Squad number12Player nameDigneAverage rating
7.27
- Squad number19Player nameDiabyAverage rating
7.21
- Squad number44Player nameKamaraAverage rating
7.20
- Squad number41Player nameJ RamseyAverage rating
7.14
- Squad number32Player nameDendonckerAverage rating
7.08
Arsenal
Avg
- Squad number41Player nameRiceAverage rating
5.21
- Squad number2Player nameSalibaAverage rating
5.03
- Squad number8Player nameØdegaardAverage rating
4.96
- Squad number29Player nameHavertzAverage rating
4.78
- Squad number11Player nameGabriel MartinelliAverage rating
4.77
- Squad number7Player nameSakaAverage rating
4.76
- Squad number6Player nameGabriel MagalhãesAverage rating
4.74
- Squad number9Player nameGabriel JesusAverage rating
4.62
- Squad number4Player nameWhiteAverage rating
4.60
- Squad number35Player nameZinchenkoAverage rating
4.26
- Squad number22Player nameRayaAverage rating
3.86
- Squad number24Player nameNelsonAverage rating
3.70
- Squad number19Player nameTrossardAverage rating
3.70
- Squad number14Player nameNketiahAverage rating
3.63
Line-ups
Aston Villa
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1E Martínez
- 4KonsaSubstituted forCashat 66'minutes
- 3Diego CarlosBooked at 88mins
- 14P Torres
- 12DigneBooked at 53minsSubstituted forMorenoat 78'minutes
- 31BaileySubstituted forDiabyat 45'minutes
- 44KamaraSubstituted forDendonckerat 67'minutes
- 6Douglas LuizBooked at 62mins
- 7McGinnBooked at 73mins
- 8TielemansSubstituted forJ Ramseyat 56'minutes
- 11Watkins
Substitutes
- 2Cash
- 15Moreno
- 17Lenglet
- 19Diaby
- 22Zaniolo
- 24Durán
- 32Dendoncker
- 41J Ramsey
- 42Marschall
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Raya
- 4White
- 2Saliba
- 6Gabriel
- 35ZinchenkoBooked at 28minsSubstituted forNelsonat 90+3'minutes
- 8Ødegaard
- 41RiceBooked at 77mins
- 29Havertz
- 7Saka
- 9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forNketiahat 81'minutes
- 11MartinelliSubstituted forTrossardat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Ramsdale
- 14Nketiah
- 15Kiwior
- 17Cédric Soares
- 19Trossard
- 20Jorginho
- 24Nelson
- 25Elneny
- 76Walters
- Referee:
- Jarred Gillett
- Attendance:
- 42,000
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home38%
- Away62%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away5
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Aston Villa 1, Arsenal 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Declan Rice with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Kai Havertz (Arsenal).
Post update
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. John McGinn (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Douglas Luiz.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal. Reiss Nelson replaces Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa).
Post update
Hand ball by Kai Havertz (Arsenal).
Booking
Diego Carlos (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Diego Carlos (Aston Villa).
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal).
Post update
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa).
Comments
Join the conversation
Good Ebening!
'As much as Arsenal need...'
Brilliant from Villa, really shows what an excellent manager can do.
Looking forward to challenging the premier league with you Villa as the season progresses!
We need that magic water recipe in our NHS .
In all seriousness, they’ve been superb this season and it’s great to see Arteta humbled.
Hope they continue the form they’re in, been a breath of fresh air this season, Emery is a brilliant manager.
I wonder what tantrum Arteta will throw this time.
YNWA.