Aston Villa Beat Arsenal To Show Premier League Title Credentials
Aston Villa displayed their credentials as Premier League title challengers by beating Arsenal on Saturday.
A 1-0 win at Villa Park came just three days after Unai Emery's side had defeated reigning champions Manchester City by the same score.
Leon Bailey, who scored the winner against City, set up Villa captain John McGinn for the only goal on Saturday.
It arrived in the seventh minute. Bailey sprinted down the right flank and drove into the penalty area before pulling a pass back to McGinn, who controlled the ball with his right foot, turned sharply and then fired into the top corner with his left.
Aston Villa captain John McGinn pictured (left) celebrating after scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal
IMAGO/PA Images/Jacob King
Arsenal dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organized Villa defense.
The Gunners twice had the ball in the Villa net but both goals were disallowed without the VAR needing to intervene.
Bukayo Saka was caught out by Villa's famous offside trap before he beat keeper Emiliano Martinez early in the second half.
Kai Havertz then bundled home in added time but only after touching the ball with his hand.
Villa have now won 15 consecutive home league matches for the first time in the club's 149-year history.
Saturday's result took third-place Villa to within one point of Arsenal in the Premier League table.
The Gunners sit one point behind leaders Liverpool, who won 2-1 at Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday.
