In a pivotal Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium, Aston Villa secured a significant 2-0 victory over Arsenal, with goals from Leon Bailey in the 84th minute and Ollie Watkins in the 87th minute late in the game. This result has substantial implications for both teams, with Aston Villa moving three points clear in fourth place, enhancing their Champions League qualification prospects. Arsenal, on the other hand, missed the opportunity to ascend to the top of the Premier League table, adding a twist to the title race. The game was tightly contested, with Arsenal unable to capitalize on their chances, and Aston Villa executing a strategic plan in the second half that saw them outperform the Gunners, particularly in the closing stages of the match. This victory marks a double over Arsenal this season for Aston Villa, underlining their credentials and ambition under manager Unai Emery.
So much for an unprecedented three-way title race It's all so familiar at Arsenal There was no grand-stand finish, and that might be the case for the title as a whole It's only a point, but this was huge psychologically. Emery did a number on them https://t.co/mWbHWsuDCS
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins score late on to dent Gunners' title bid https://t.co/HN1GN51Nst
Live Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa piece - Loss has even bigger sting after Liverpool loss vs Palace - Decision-making kept giving Villa encouragement - Good movement from Havertz at #8 but execution the issue like early in season - Still a top Odegaard display https://t.co/En5vYIH8uD
8โฃ Martin Odegaard 4โฃ Gabriel @Dan_KP delivers his Arsenal player ratings from the Emirates https://t.co/EqAN281ruU
Emi doing Klopp punches at Emirates on day that both Arsenal and Liverpool lose. Rough viewing for Gunners and Reds fans. ๐ค https://t.co/pNkD8OEMSh
You want some instant analysis, don't you? Well here it is: ๐ฃIn praise of Aston Villaโs midfield ๐คEven magic goalframes could not deny #AVFC ๐ฃA huge step towards Champions League qualification Piece on @TheAthleticFC w/@ArtdeRoche https://t.co/LQRl9OE7U6
Two shots on target. Two goals. A huge win in @AVFCOfficial's quest for UEFA Champions League qualification! #ARSAVL https://t.co/yEsEWUsa4I
Footbal eh? Who saw that coming? Potentially huge day in Scotland and England. https://t.co/gfriqMuTWL
Ten games unbeaten in London (winning seven of those) and a double against Arsenal this season. Emery doesnโt let excuses filter into the dressing room and even with the fixtures/injuries, this was the result. A word for his talent ID too - Morgan Rogers is a gem #AVFC
Early train Arsenal fans??? Ffs ๐คฆ๐ฝโโ๏ธ https://t.co/5kJiNMBjya
Heroes are Villans. #AVFC totally deserved this win. Better tactically for a start. Each of Unai Emeryโs players knew his job and delivered. For #AFC, cue the debate resuming about lack of an elite centre-forward. Highlighted by Villaโs outstanding finisher Ollie Watkins #ARSAVL
Arsenal blow chance to move top of the Premier League ๐ฌ The title race takes another huge twist ๐ https://t.co/FgtT03KRPB
Arsenal blow chance to move top of Premier League ๐ฌ The title race takes another huge twist ๐ https://t.co/5g4bs3MZyx
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery's revenge ๐ Emery's Aston Villa may have landed a decisive blow to #AFC's Premier League title hopes. https://t.co/xVpzztfSLp
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa: Unai Emery gets revenge on former employers to gift Man City upper hand in Prem title race #ARSAVL https://t.co/romVhi8G0V https://t.co/S2GMOX15oa
Emery is a genius! #ARSAVL #UTV https://t.co/nDsmr6Go3r
Know the story is going to be Arsenal and Liverpool losing, but Villa's return to relevance has been remarkable. They were facing bankruptcy after losing the Championship playoff in 2018. They're probably going to be in the Champions League next year. https://t.co/C37750eMhl
Arsenal suffer their first league defeat of 2024. Unai Emery's Aston Villa have beaten Mikel Arteta's #AFC home and away this season โ this victory feels huge. What a day in the Premier League title race. What a day for Manchester City. #ARSAVL | #PL https://t.co/D1pTiV11uT
Feel bad for Arsenal, but this was the worry for a young team having to juggle a title race and Championโs League knockout stage. Man City now in the driverโs seat. History shows they rarely relinquish it.
Symptomatic of his own performance, John McGinn leads his team towards the away end. #AVFC https://t.co/WaB89EEX1K
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta let down by four players in catastrophic Aston Villa defeat https://t.co/D5uSYiPfU6
Arsenal beaten 0-2 at home, failing to capitalise on Liverpool's loss to Palace. Villa were comfortably the better team in the second half. It was horribly reminiscent of that 0-3 humbling against Brighton at the tail end of last season. A great day for Manchester City. โน๏ธ https://t.co/pecLy3wZSL
Arsenal suffer their first league defeat of 2024. Unai Emery's Aston Villa have beaten Mikel Arteta's #AFC home and away this season โ this victory feely huge. What a day in the Premier League title race. What a day for Manchester City. #ARSAVL | #PL https://t.co/YQBRNHIhOJ
Liverpool 0x1 Crystal Palace Arsenal 0x2 Aston Villa ... https://t.co/Q61apYLNPd
Whatโs the joke about @arsenal? Arsenal would make the perfect boyfriendโฆ starts on top still finishes second?
For fuckโs sake @Arsenalโฆ
Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City's remaining six fixtures: Who's in driving seat to win title after crucial points dropped this weekend https://t.co/AffAgGxt1p
What a win for @AVFCOfficial! They go three points clear in fourth place, and Arsenal fail to take their chance to go top! #ARSAVL https://t.co/usJWDau5Nm
๐ด Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa ๐ฆ ๐ด Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace ๐ฆ A momentous day in the Premier League title race. https://t.co/3wVQQJf4yi
Liverpool lose to Palace Arsenal lose to Villa Man City end the week on top of the Premier League once again ๐ต https://t.co/MiRpfCwlL5
Aston Villa stun Arsenal at the Emirates as the Gunners surrender top spot in latest twist to the Premier League title race - 5 talking points https://t.co/48TrkRdHvq https://t.co/BdyMZN920J
Fantastic win for #AVFC On a season-defining week, theyโve continued to show that, under Emery, they are relentless winners. Theyโll bounce into Thursday with confidence and now look favourites to get 4th. Double over Arsenal + a win against City and #LFC to come ๐๐ป
FT 0-2 #avfc What a day for Manchester City. Arsenal suddenly find themselves with their season on the line in the space of a few days. Massive week ahead with Bayern and Wolves away. And now they are playing catch-up in the league.
Arsenal fans should hold their heads high. Their tiny little club hung tough with a much better Aston Villa team twice this season. https://t.co/BNpr1KhpUp
Aston Villa have SILENCED the Emirates ๐คซ https://t.co/lMcFXkCVic
โฑ FULL TIME ๐ด Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa ๐ต Unai Emery does the double over his old club - and puts a huge dent in their title challenge #ARSAVL https://t.co/86FZSzPCqB
Full time | Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa
FT: Arsenal 0-2 #AVFC The away end euphoric as Villa deliver an outstanding display under huge pressure. Both goals richly deserved and a reward for the game-plan, effort and quality showed. If you want to qualify for the Champions League, this is how you do it. https://t.co/XYcHKdZSyy
Liverpool lose. Arsenal lose. Manchester City fans: https://t.co/VYaTiRFTs1
A MASTERCLASS IN NORTH LONDON! ๐ https://t.co/mHvQJ1LfvO
โฑ๏ธ ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐: ๐ด Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa ๐ฆ #ARSAVL https://t.co/phnHzOhgKc
The reactions from Rice and Arteta to Villa's goals...๐ฌ https://t.co/FWuxb60BoS
Guiding Aston Villa to fourth in the table, about to qualify for the Champions League, about to qualify for the semi-final of the Conference League, done the League double over his old club Arsenal. Unai Emery deserves some flowers. https://t.co/8c7F63Okjc
Full-time at Emirates Stadium. https://t.co/pLaG53DWsN
Arsenal have missed out on the chance of returning to the top of the Premier League ๐ #BBCFootball #ARSAVL #PL https://t.co/LsE7Dgvwuv
Two late goals, and two potentially huge moments in the context of this Premier League title race! #ARSAVL https://t.co/pnxmYSPYMW
Honestly, this has been an absolute joy to watch. #AVFC
Arsenal fans on Twitter are by far the worst. Yes, you've not been great today, but there's 6 games left. It's not over yet. Get behind your team. Don't dig them out now. Don't dig those players out. They've been brilliant for the best part of two seasons for you. Back them.โฆ
"You're gonna win f**k all," sing a delirious Villa end. #AVFC
The Emirates is stunned into silence. Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins look to have executed Unai Emery's masterplan. An unbelievable day in the Premier League title race. #AFC | #AVFC | #ARSAVL https://t.co/2Jqb1I6lm6
Liverpoolโs attack has become riddled with anxiety โ itโs difficult to separate that fact from Kloppโs decision to leave. https://t.co/JnYLo9qGCe
Ollie Watkins joins Christian Benteke with 19 goals in a single season for Aston Villa ๐ฃโ https://t.co/SxfsVRK3OL
Unless Arsenal signs Palmer right now... The league is gone to Manchester City. #ARSAVL
ASTON VILLA TAKE THE LEAD OVER ARSENAL. ๐ซฃ (via @NBCSportsSoccer) https://t.co/YQYwwKxUvX
More drama in an already thrilling title contest. #ARSAVL https://t.co/OYERPg9aqi
Imagine ever believing Arsenal could beat Aston Villa.
Good Ebening, @Arsenal. https://t.co/WpiG4woN2F
LEON BAILEY! OLLIE WATKINS! That's it, that's the tweet! Two goals in three minutes for Aston Villa at Arsenal! #BBCFootball #ARSAVL https://t.co/qHwj8yHOCf
Villa just by far the better team today. No debate whatsoever. Massively disappointing but fair in every way. Kiss the Premier League goodbye, Arsenal. City wonโt drop another point.
Ollie Watkins that was pure class ๐๐ฟ
Unai Emery is loving it! #ARSAVL https://t.co/UhwxFgq92s
Ollie WATKINS!!! ๐คฏ https://t.co/MHo67rFDTP
๐ฃ๐ต 19 goals, 10 goals in 32 Premier League games for Ollie Watkins. 26 total goals in all competitions. Fantastic season! โจ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ https://t.co/whdY2yooPa
6 points from Arsenal UNAI EMERY HAS DONE IT AGAIN ๐ฅ https://t.co/QFdCLm2zxG
A HUGE GOAL IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE RACE ๐ฅ Leon Bailey scores. The Ollie Watkins scores. And Arsenal are down 2-0 in a blink. ๐ฅ @NBCSportsSoccer https://t.co/r1FmAFUa4C
Youri Tielemans provides the assist his performance deserves. He intercepts a loose pass in his defensive and plays in Watkins, who starts his run inside his own half. He then dinks Raya, beautifully, wonderfully, to score and runs towards the away end. Incredible. #AVFC
Nicky Smokes went all the way to London to watch Arsenal bottle the league. Perfect intro to being an Arsenal supporter. Hiiiiiii HO. HI HO. It's down the table we go. https://t.co/MYyqVKt3HP
Huge moments at Emirates Stadium! Leon Bailey opened the scoring for Aston Villa, and not long after the visitors have a second through Ollie Watkins! #ARSAVL
GOOALLLL! Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa WATKINS! WOW! #ARSAVL https://t.co/HtBTtLgZcm
Goal for Aston Villa - scored by Watkins ๐ด 0-2 ๐ต (87)
OLLIE WATKINSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ https://t.co/PI19lNv7gr
#afc 0-2 #avfc Watkins scores on the counter-attack. Stunning finish.
I just want to say how happy I am that Arsenal got the no-mistakes goalie because if they hadn't done that it might've derailed their Premier League and Champions League bids in the same week
Uh-oh...or...oh yeah. #ARSAVL
โฝ ๐๐ข๐๐: GAME OVER! OLLIE WATKINS! WHAT A FINISH! ๐ด Arsenal 0- 2 Aston Villa ๐ฆ #ARSAVL
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa - Watkins
What a finish Ollie Watkins, 2-0 Villa!
What a strange second half performance from Arsenal. Theyโve been so stale and not playing with their usual aggression. Villa were gaining more and more territory. Far too reactive.
GOOALLL! Arsenal 0-1 Aston Villa Leon Bailey scores with six minutes remaining! #ARSAVL https://t.co/V9UE4LRJZe
Goal for Aston Villa - scored by Bailey ๐ด 0-1 ๐ต (84)
Nothing less than what Villa deserve. Bailey runs towards a frenzied away end after tapping in at the far post from Lucas Digne's cross. Villa have gained control, possession and now, finally, have a goal to show for it. 1-0 #AVFC
1-0 Aston Villa. LEON BAILEY HAS OPENED THE SCORE AND IT LOOKS LIKE ARSENAL ARE GOING TO RECEIVE A MAJOR BLOW IN THE TITLE RACE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/xOAiSINi43
Goal for Aston Villa - scored by Bailey. ๐ด 0-0 ๐ต (84)
โฝ ๐๐ข๐๐: OH MY GOD! LEON BAILEY in the 84TH MINUTE! ๐ด Arsenal 0-1 Aston Villa ๐ฆ #ARSAVL
Arsenal 0-1 Aston Villa - Bailey at the back post
GOALLLLLL BAILEYYYYY 1-0 #AVFC
15 minutes to go at Emirates Stadiumโฐ Arsenal need a goal to get back to top spot. But Aston Villa have had their own chances to go ahead... #ARSAVL https://t.co/RjjImg8EYU
15 minutes remaining at the Emirates ๐ ๐ด Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa ๐ต #ARSAVL https://t.co/hp08pYV10L
Villa have got such a foothold in this second half that Arsenal have only had three shots since the restart.
Arsenal second best in the second half.... hell of a let-off after Tielemans' shot hit bar and the post. Villa on top.
โฑ Back underway at the Emirates ๐ด Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa ๐ต #ARSAVL https://t.co/pcdibteJkF
Half time | Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa - Top half from Odegaard but collectively need to be more intent on that final part in the final third. Lucky break with the Watkins chance. Need to go at it in the second half
โฑ Half time at the Emirates ๐ด Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa ๐ต #ARSAVL https://t.co/z6KQ7Vqojt
โฑ๏ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐: ๐ด Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa ๐ฆ #ARSAVL https://t.co/lBSsrSAEZw
HT: Arsenal 0-0 #AVFC A tense but fascinating first half. As you'd expect, Arsenal putting Villa under big pressure, overloading central areas with so many runners breaking from midfield. But Villa are battling well, still carrying a threat on transition & playing with composure
โฑ Kick off at the Emirates! ๐ด Arsenal vs Aston Villa ๐ต #ARSAVL https://t.co/9RAZ3ptGc6
๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ช๐ ๐๐ข ๐ฟ ๐ด Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa ๐ฆ #ARSAVL
Arsenal vs Aston Villa is underway
Can the Gunners return to the top of the table? ๐ค Watch Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE on Sky from 4:30pm! ๐บ
BirminghamLive brings you coverage of Aston Villa's Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium https://t.co/Ln3anC9Psv
At Emirates Stadium for Arsenal v Aston Villa. https://t.co/KpM46m8uRc
Arsenal vs Aston Villa - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as the Gunners look to respond to their title rivals' results with crucial win in their pursuit https://t.co/cTrU5wDjCT https://t.co/B6UDei9WPF
How to watch Arsenal ๐ Aston Villa: TV channel and live stream #ARSAVL | #PremierLeague https://t.co/xd1nqOdZjK
๐ฃ๏ธ "The focus is on Aston Villa!" ๐ Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal's attention to be on the Premier League and not the Champions League ๐บ https://t.co/ffuAgdXfkM #arsenal | #premierleague https://t.co/5FILb1yXkH
Arsenal ๐ Aston Villa โฐ Kick-off time ๐บ How to watch ๐ค Team news โ Prediction ๐ฐ Match odds Premier League preview #ARSAVL https://t.co/lQDM4iqs6E
Aston Villa clinch win against Lille in Europa Conference League. https://t.co/MqKBvy2BOm
Aston Villa 2 Lille 1: Ollie Watkins and John McGinn put hosts in driving seat in Europa Conference League quarter-final #UECL https://t.co/4F3WD2hVfB
Aston Villa beat Lille in their Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg match โ https://t.co/sQFAvcmoUL
โฝ Ollie Watkins โฝ John McGinn @AVFCOfficial beat Lille 2-1 at Villa Park in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final ๐ https://t.co/qpIgVAmfnf
Aston Villa 2-1 Lille: Villa hold advantage after Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg https://t.co/iZCRpk3ZsF
Goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn secured victory for Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter final against Lille at Villa Park tonight. https://t.co/4htNlXuu5z
โฑ๏ธ ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐: ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Aston Villa 2-1 Lille ๐ซ๐ท #UECL https://t.co/x0QEr5GDcm
FT: #AVFC 2-1 Lille Villa take a lead to France but maybe left ruing not punishing Lille when 2-0 up on the hour. Lille built pressure, got a goal back & showed they can hurt Villa. Will be a big ask in the 2nd leg, but attacking set plays,Martinez & Watkins are always big helps https://t.co/9gi2CdrBIY
โฝ ๐๐ข๐๐: DIAKITE PULLS ONE BACK! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Aston Villa 2-1 Lille ๐ซ๐ท #UECL
Goal Lille. Diakite. Wins the first contact from an inswinging corner. Villa are as good attacking corners as they look shaky from any type of cross... #AVFC
"SUPER JOHN MCGINN!" Aston Villa 2-0 up against Lille! ๐ https://t.co/plfwGOTFlc
GOOALLL!!! ๐ฅ Aston Villa extend their lead over Lille at Villa Park as Ollie Watkins grabs his second goal of the evening #UECL https://t.co/gTdUwQkdRn
โฝ ๐๐ข๐๐: JOHN MCGINN! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Aston Villa 2-0 Lille ๐ซ๐ท #UECL
โฑ๏ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐: ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Aston Villa 1-0 Lille ๐ซ๐ท #UECL https://t.co/VsKT8bzChB
Goal number 25 of the season for Ollie Watkins. Aston Villa lead Lille in the #UECL. https://t.co/ST9BONijVZ
Ollie Watkins now has 25 Aston Villa goals this season. โฝ๏ธ How many could he finish on? #BBCFootball #UECL https://t.co/AQOvKiq3ic
Ollie Watkins puts Villa against Lille in the lead for his 25 of the season! #BBCFootball https://t.co/CgAPhKiQ65
๐ฅ Le but d'Ollie Watkins pour Aston Villa face au LOSC. โฝ๏ธ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ https://t.co/8KbFjvjk8q
๐ฃ๐ต Ollie Watkins makes it 25 goals this season, one more tonight in Conference League. 10 assists also for Watkins at #AVFC. https://t.co/ydxwvITPBc
GOOALLL!! ๐ฅ Ollie Watkins gives Aston Villa an early lead with a headed finish from John McGinn's corner #UECL https://t.co/mNr1gTWHRg
"The man Watkins!" Aston Villa lead against Lille! ๐ฅ https://t.co/lUinua60VV
โฝ ๐๐ข๐๐: OLLIE WATKINS! WHAT A PLAYER! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Aston Villa 1-0 Lille ๐ซ๐ท #UECL
โฝ BUUUUUUUUUTT DE WATKINS !!! ๐ ASTON VILLA ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 1-0ย ย ๐ซ๐ทย LILLE https://t.co/rEzXmaD8jP
GOALLLL WATKINSSSS 1-0 #AVFC
๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ช๐ ๐๐ข ๐ฟ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Aston Villa 0-0 Lille ๐ซ๐ท #UECL
Aston Villa team to play Lille is IN! ๐จ https://t.co/0uBQuPlaqP