Premier League Weekend Highlights: Aston Villa's Victory and Injury Setbacks
Aston Villa secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester United despite having fewer shots (12-15) and less possession (43-57). United edged Villa in expected goals (xG) 1.31-1.02 according to Opta. Morgan Rogers starred for Villa, with Unai Emery's tactical approach highlighted as key to the outcome. Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim, have only won 2 out of 8 games since October 25. Injuries to key players Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes contributed to a run of missed opportunities. Cunha scored but missed a notable chance, and critics argue Amorim has yet to establish a consistent winning method after 13 months in charge.
Arsenal returned to the top of the table with a 1-0 win against Everton. The victory pointed to concerns about Everton's finishing and their reliance on grinding out results due to a lack of a reliable striker. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that margins will grow with hard work. Manchester City defeated West Ham 3-0, with plans to conduct weight checks for players following the match. Pep Guardiola will train those who did not feature and adjust preparations ahead of their next game against Nottingham Forest, with rest and a planned Barcelona holiday factored into schedules.
Liverpool's Alexander Isak scored against Tottenham but left the field with a suspected fractured leg, risking a lengthy absence. This injury comes as Liverpool was on a six-game unbeaten run and marked Isak's first Premier League goals for the club. Newcastle United drew 2-2 with Chelsea after a controversial penalty decision stemming from Trevoh Chalobah's challenge on Anthony Gordon. The decision attracted criticism, and Newcastle have dropped 13 points from winning positions this season.
Wolves were beaten 0-2 by Brentford, with Opta assigning them a 99.17% chance of relegation. Jørgen Strand Larsen missed a late penalty, and commentator Keith Andrews reflected fan frustration amid concerns regarding the club's ownership. Leeds United defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 in a match featuring 16-year-old Joél Drakes-Thomas, who made his Premier League debut for Palace, becoming the club's youngest-ever player. Palace's sponsorless shirt highlighted a lack of senior squad depth. Manager Glasner called for reinforcements in January amid injuries and Sarr's involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
