Overview
- Arsenal overpowered Villa after the break, with goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Martín Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus following an Emiliano Martínez error on a corner; Ollie Watkins scored late for Villa.
- Villa’s club-record-equalling 11-match winning run ended, leaving Unai Emery’s side third and six points behind the leaders.
- Declan Rice was ruled out with a knee issue, while Gabriel returned to the XI and scored from a set piece as Arsenal again profited from dead-ball situations.
- Manchester City can reduce the gap when they play their game in hand at Sunderland on January 1.
- Questions over Viktor Gyökeres’ finishing persisted, with recent pundit critiques underscoring scrutiny of the striker despite Arsenal’s statement win.