Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Aston Villa: Second-Half Blitz From Gunners Decides Early Title Battle

Arsenal made a statement in their pursuit of Premier League glory.

Arsenal ran riot in the second half against Aston Villa. / Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

An extraordinary second-half performance from Arsenal ensured they cantered to a statement 4–1 victory over prospective Premier League title challengers Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Nothing could separate the high-flying adversaries during a tense first half at the Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal exploded into life after the break as four goals in half-an-hour decided the contest.

An Emiliano Martínez blunder gifted Gabriel his third goal of the season in all competitions shortly after the break and Martín Zubimendi doubled Arsenal’s lead just four minutes later.

Leandro Trossard was at the heart of Arsenal’s third and fourth, driving a strike into the bottom corner before teeing up substitute Gabriel Jesus for his first Gunners goal in almost a year.

A dejected Villa pulled one back through Ollie Watkins in stoppage time but it was nothing more than a consolation as Arsenal move five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

---

Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Aston Villa (4-3-3)

Leandro Trossard was brilliant at the Emirates. / Catherine IvillAMA/Getty Images

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: David Raya—8.0: Villa posed issues for the Gunners on the break but Raya was only forced into his first save in stoppage time as he produced another unbelievable stop to deny John McGinn from four yards out.

RB: Jurriën Timber—7.8: Provided attacking reinforcement down the right wing and kept the in-form Morgan Rogers and reverse fixture match-winner Emi Buendía quiet. Even notched an assist on his return to the team.

CB: William Saliba—6.9: Struggled with Ollie Watkins early doors but swiftly improved, with the offside flag not detracting from a wonderful goal-saving challenge on the cusp of half time. Should have done better with Villa’s late effort—not that it mattered.

CB: Gabriel—8.0: Did what he does best on his return to the XI, causing mayhem from attacking set pieces and defending resolutely against a myriad of attacking threats. Withdrawn late with what Arsenal will hope is cramp.

LB: Piero Hincapié—7.6: Seldom required to exit second gear against the lifeless Jadon Sancho and provided a steady attacking option down the left-hand side.

CM: Martin Ødegaard—8.3: Made up for his wayward first-half passing with a lovely assist for Arsenal’s second, growing in influence as the minutes ticked away.

CM: Martín Zubimendi—8.3: Scored his third Arsenal goal as he crashed the penalty area and calmly slotted beyond Martínez, while also offering security in possession.

CM: Mikel Merino—7.7: An all-action display should have really ended early, the Spaniard fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a blatant pull before the hour mark.

RW: Bukayo Saka—6.9: A surprisingly quiet performance from Arsenal’s usual talisman, who failed to give Lucas Digne much trouble.

ST: Viktor Gyökeres—6.2: Gifted Villa their best chance following some awful hold-up play and miscued two promising headed opportunities. Another underwhelming display.

LW: Leandro Trossard—8.7: Having scored at Villa Park, Trossard repeated the feat at the Emirates. Lashed beyond Martínez and assisted Jesus to cap a lively performance from the left.

Substitute	Rating
Christian Nørgaard (73’ for Merino)	6.2
Gabriel Jesus (77’ for Gyökeres)	7.3
Myles Lewis-Skelly (77’ for Gabriel)	6.2
Ben White (83’ for Timber)	N/A
Noni Madueke (83’ for Saka)	N/A

Subs not used: Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK), Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz.

---

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Emiliano Martínez; Lamare Bogarde, Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelöf, Lucas Digne; Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans; Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendía; Ollie Watkins.

Subs used: John McGinn, Donyell Malen, Andrés García, Jamaldeen Jimoh, George Hemmings.

---

Player of the Match: Leandro Trossard

---

Arsenal 4–1 Aston Villa—How It Unfolded at the Emirates

MAKING A STATEMENT. pic.twitter.com/uTPfiGLtEt

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 30, 2025

The return of Gabriel and Timber to Arsenal’s backline raised spirits after news emerged of Declan Rice’s absence, but Mikel Arteta’s imperious defence should have been punished during the early exchanges by weekend hero Watkins. The Villa striker scuffed a glorious opportunity at the end of a quick-fire counter attack, serving the hosts their first major warning.

Half chances came and went for Arsenal as they sought a nerve-easing opener, Gyökeres twice heading off target from teasing crosses and Trossard’s tame effort forcing former Gunners goalkeeper Martínez into his first action of the evening. But Villa were proving frustratingly stubborn despite injuries and suspensions in their defence.

A frenetic beginning had cooled by the closing stages of the first half as both sides sensed the gravity of the occasion. Villa grew slightly more cautious, wasting time wherever possible, while Arsenal struggled to manufacture notable opportunities from open play. However, the hosts came flying out of the blocks in the second half.

Blunted by Villa during the first half, Arsenal turned to a familiar friend after the restart. The Gunners needed just three minutes to clinch a critical opener and, rather unsurprisingly, it arrived via a corner. Gabriel was the official goalscorer on his return to the starting lineup, but Villa stopper Martínez was the architect as he dropped the ball on to the Brazilian inside his own six-yard box.

It's what he does 👑🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/WqDlpDGWWm

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 30, 2025

Within the blink of an eye, one became two as nerves dissipated across the Emirates. No set-piece magic was required as Arsenal preyed upon a loose pass from Youri Tielemans inside the Villa half, Ødegaard supplying Zubimendi with a perfect pass and the Spaniard prodding effortlessly into the bottom corner.

Fortune favoured Arsenal shortly after their second as Merino inexplicably avoided his second yellow card of the evening for a cynical pull and they would soon put the contest beyond doubt. Trossard’s powerful low drive was initially chalked off for an offside in the build-up, but the Belgian’s effort was eventually awarded following a lengthy VAR check.

There was still time for Arsenal to pour more salt in gaping Villa wounds and issue an almighty statement in the race for the crown. Jesus rounded off a stunning second-half display from the Gunners mere seconds after arriving from the bench as he caressed an effort into the bottom corner.

Villa’s late consolation could not take the shine off a mightily impressive Arsenal triumph as Mikel Arteta’s men extended their lead at the Premier League’s summit and ended 2025 in style.

---

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Half Time Stats

Statistic	Arsenal	Aston Villa
Possession	53%	47%
Expected Goals (xG)	0.57	0.54
Total Shots	7	3
Shots on Target	1	0
Big Chances	1	1
Passing Accuracy	86%	84%
Fouls Committed	10	5
Corners	0	2

---

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa Full Time Stats

Statistic	Arsenal	Aston Villa
Possession	47%	53%
Expected Goals (xG)	3.17	2.67
Total Shots	22	11
Shots on Target	7	3
Big Chances	6	5
Passing Accuracy	87%	87%
Fouls Committed	18	9
Corners	3	3

---

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS AND MORE

feed