Arsenal Extend Premier League Lead with 4-1 Victory over Aston Villa at Emirates
Arsenal defeated Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium to extend their Premier League lead to five points heading into 2026.
Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring shortly after half-time with a close-range header from a Bukayo Saka corner. Five minutes later, Martín Zubimendi doubled Arsenal's advantage after dispossessing Jadon Sancho.
Leandro Trossard made it 3-0 in the 69th minute following a failed clearance by Lucas Digne from a Martin Ødegaard cross. Gabriel Jesus sealed the win with a curling shot in the 78th minute after coming on as a substitute.
Ollie Watkins scored a late injury-time consolation goal for Aston Villa, ending their 11-match winning streak and leaving them six points behind the league leaders.
Arsenal played without Declan Rice and welcomed back Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhães from injury. Amadou Onana sustained a hamstring issue in the first half but continued playing. Riccardo Calafiori was unavailable.
Aston Villa pressed effectively in the first half, with Watkins missing two chances. Arsenal looked tense and less fluent without Rice. Onana's run into Arsenal's box was stopped by Gabriel’s trailing leg, though no penalty was awarded.
VAR reviewed Gabriel's goal for potential arm involvement but did not take any action. The match was officiated by Jarred Gillett.
This win marked Arsenal's fifth consecutive victory following their last loss at Villa Park, highlighting their strong title challenge.
