Arsenal run riot to end Villa’s winning streak | OneFootball

Arsenal produced a stunning second-half display to hammer Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates, ending the visitors’ eight-game Premier League winning run and moving five points clear at the top.

The visitors had started brightly, with Ollie Watkins testing Arsenal’s defence and the midfield absence of Declan Rice leaving gaps early on. But the Gunners grew into the game after the break and quickly took control.

Gabriel Magalhães, making his first start since November, bundled in a corner in the 48th minute, despite Villa protests over a potential foul on Emi Martinez.

Captain Martin Odegaard then won the ball in midfield and released Martin Zubimendi, who poked home to double the lead.

Leandro Trossard added a third with a low strike from the edge of the box, confirmed after a VAR check, and substitute Gabriel Jesus curled in a fourth to cap a memorable second-half blitz.

A late consolation from Watkins, following a Donyell Malen effort off the post, was scant reward for Villa, who had looked the more threatening in the first half.

The win leaves Mikel Arteta's side firmly in pole position heading into 2026, while Unai Emery's men stay third, six points off the top.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

15':

Opportunity wasted! Leandro Trossard from Arsenal took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.

Arsenal takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Aston Villa. Gabriel Magalhães finds the back of the net with a left-footed shot from close range following a corner kick.Arsenal takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Aston Villa. Gabriel Magalhães scores with a left-footed shot from close range, finding the center of the net following a corner kick.

48':

GOAL Arsenal: Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) scores!

Gabriel Magalhães scores goal number 2 in the competition (13 matches) Gabriel Magalhães scores goal number 24 for his team (230 matches)

Arsenal leads 2-0 against Aston Villa. Martín Zubimendi scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Martin Ødegaard, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.

52':

GOAL Arsenal: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) scores!

Martin Zubimendi scores goal number 3 in the competition (19 matches)

60':

Missed opportunity. Jurriën Timber from Arsenal attempted a right-footed shot from within the six-yard box, but it narrowly missed the left side of the goal following a corner kick.

63':

Opportunity wasted. Martin Ødegaard of Arsenal attempted a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it sailed over the crossbar. The assist came from Jurriën Timber.

69':

GOAL Arsenal: Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) scores!

Leandro Trossard scores goal number 5 in the competition (15 matches) Leandro Trossard scores goal number 36 for his team (147 matches)

Arsenal leads Aston Villa 4-0. Gabriel Jesus scores with a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, placing the ball into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from Leandro Trossard.

78':

GOAL Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) scores!

Gabriel Jesus scores goal number 1 in the competition (4 matches) Gabriel Jesus scores goal number 28 for his team (103 matches)

90 +4':

GOAL Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) scores!

Ollie Watkins scores goal number 6 in the competition (19 matches)

Arsenal 4, Aston Villa 1. Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa finds the net with a left-footed shot from just a few meters out, sending the ball straight into the center of the goal.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match