Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Gunners suffer shock defeat
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins turned the title race on its head as Unai Emery claimed a Premier League double over his former team
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Arsenal blew the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table as Aston Villa bolstered their Champions League hopes by claiming a stunning 2-0 win at the Emirates - a result that leaves the title race in the hands of the defending champions Manchester City with six games to go.
On a dramatic day in the Premier League that also saw Liverpool slip up at home to Crystal Palace, with Jurgen Klopp’s side beaten 1-0 at Anfield, Mikel Arteta’s challengers could not take advantage as they too fell to a damaging defeat in the title race.
The Gunners were seven wins from their first title in 20 years, but City are now two points clear at the top after Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck second-half goals and Unai Emery returned to the Emirates to earn a league double against his former team.
Arsenal started well and had the majority of the early chances but it was the visitors who almost took the lead as Ollie Watkins struck both posts following an effort from Gabriel - although Emery’s side then needed goalkeeper Emi Martinez to make a stunning save from point-blank range to deny Leandro Trossard 37 seconds later.
Villa took charge after half time, and struck the frame of the goal again when Youri Tielmans hit both the bar and the post with a bending shot that almost found the top corner. Bailey came off the bench to arrive at the back post and steer Villa in front, before Watkins doubled Villa’s lead with a chipped finish just two minutes later.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
58 mins: Emery is going to play his hand first, however, with Leon Bailey getting ready on the Villa bench. The visitors have a platform in this game.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
55 mins: It’s been a frustrating day for Gabriel Jesus, who have struggled on his chance to lead the line. Arteta will be looking to his bench by now, and the Brazilian could be the first to make way. Jesus is caught offside as Rice tried to spring an attack.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
53 mins: The chants are rising from the away end in the corner of the Emirates. Aston Villa have started the second half well, and belief is growing among their number that they could earn themselves a big result here.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
49 mins: Arsenal do get a free kick as Tielemans is caught with a hand ball on the edge of the box. It’s in a decent position...
... nothing comes of it.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
47 mins: Jesus hops over Carlos’s outstretched leg and appeals for a penalty, but that’s dismissed immediately.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
45 mins: Back underway. Arsenal are now six and a half games from their first title in 20 years, but they need to beat Villa.
HALF TIME! Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
A crazy 37 seconds of action as Watkins hit both posts and then Martinez pulled out this incredible save to deny Trossard.
HALF TIME! Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
Arsenal have had lots of the ball and plenty of chances, but Villa went the closest to taking the lead as Watkins hit the inside of both posts.
It’s nervy at the Emirates.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
46+1 mins: It’s Digne... into the wall. Good work from Gabriel to take it in the face... Villa could learn a lesson or two after the goal City and Phil Foden scored against them a couple of weeks ago.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
44 mins: A chance for Villa, just before half time, after Gabriel catches Rogers right on the edge...
There will be two added minutes after its taken.
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