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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Your support makes all the difference.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 vs Aston Villa - early team news
Predicted line ups
Arsenal XI: Raya: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Jesus
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Tielemans, Iroegbunam, Rogers; McGinn; Watkins
How can I watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa?
When is it?
Arsenal vs Aston Villa kicks off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday 14 April 2024 at the Emirates.
How can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sport Main Event with coverage beginning at 4pm. Subscribers can stream via the SkyGo app and website.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa - early team news
Mikel Arteta said his side had some fitness issues following the 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, but was hopeful Jurrien Timber would be the only member of his squad who is unavailable.
Villa will be without the suspended Douglas Luiz, who picked up his 10th booking of the season and will miss the next two games. Clement Lenglet missed the game against Lille with a “small” injury and joined Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey on the absence list.
Good afternoon
Arsenal will hope to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table when they host Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners’ overtook Liverpool thanks to a 3-0 win over Brighton away from home but only have the buffer of a superior goal difference meaning they cannot afford to drop points. The Reds play Crystal Palace earlier in the day and could jump ahead of Mikel Arteta’s team who will be focused on their own gameplan against a tricky Aston Villa side.
Villa come into the match locked in a tight battle for fourth place with Tottenham. Spurs moved ahead of Unai Emery’s midlands side after they drew with Brentford but have a tougher run into the end of the season. If Villa can take points away from the Gunners this afternoon they will be well placed to challenge for the Champions League over the remaining fixtures.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match
Is Arsenal vs Aston Villa on TV? How to watch Premier League fixture
Everything you need to know as Gunners hope to maintain place at top of table
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