BREAKING: After Beating Man City, Aston Villa Defeat #Arsenal To Continue Their Winning 15 Consecutive Matches At Villa Park – #AVLARS—–Perhaps even the most ardent of Aston Villa fans wouldn’t have predicted they would sit third in the Premier League just shy of Christmas, but that is where they moved to after a fine 1-0 home win over Arsenal. Unai Emery is building something special at Villa Park, and he was indebted to John McGinn as the Scot’s well-taken goal saw his side over the line against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
John McGinn of Aston Villa celebrates scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England.
John McGinn scored the only goal of the game as Aston Villa beat title hopefuls Arsenal 1-0 to move to within two points of the Premier League summit courtesy of a club record 15th-straight home league win.
The hosts got off to a flyer when an electric run from Leon Bailey ended with McGinn swivelling to fire home on seven minutes.
Arsenal grew into the contest and went close through Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka but could not achieve parity prior to the interval.
The visitors continued to press as the game wore on and were unfortunate not to level when a mistake by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saw the ball come back off the post before being cleared from underneath the crossbar just shy of the hour.
Kai Havertz bundled the ball into the net right at the death but the referee ruled it out for a handball and after a lengthy VAR check the on-field decision stood.
Villa looked leggy following the exertions of their midweek success over champions Manchester City, but they defended doggedly to continue their remarkable winning streak on home turf.
The result means Arsenal miss the chance to move back above leaders Liverpool and are now a point behind the Merseysiders in second spot. Villa are a point further back in third.
Arsenal will now travel to PSV Eindhoven to sign off UEFA Champions League Group B prior to hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.
Villa are away to Zrinjski Mostar in UEFA Europa Conference League Group E before heading to Brentford on Sunday.
