Overview
- Four second-half goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and substitute Gabriel Jesus settled the match, with Ollie Watkins scoring late for Villa.
- Gabriel’s opener from a corner stood after a VAR check for possible contact on goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, a decision that drew debate.
- Jesus found the net one minute after coming on, reinforcing Arsenal’s growing bench impact in key moments.
- Key midfielder Declan Rice missed the game with a knee injury, while striker Viktor Gyokeres’ finishing woes persisted after recent public advice from Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
- The result ended Villa’s 11-match winning run and left City able to trim the gap in their trip to Sunderland on January 1.