2023-12-09 19:53:00
Dream week at Villa Park. Three days after surprising Manchester City in their impregnable fortress, Aston Villa won the clash of the 16th day of the Premier League against Arsenal (1-0) on Saturday. The goal scored very early by John McGinn allows the Villans, third, to come back to within a point of the Gunners. Beaten for the second time this season, they relinquish control of the championship to Liverpool.
Yes, Aston Villa is a credible candidate for the Top 4. In 72 hours, the Birmingham club paid the scalps of two big English names, the reigning champion City on Wednesday, and its runner-up Arsenal on Saturday, each time on the smallest of margins. Two successes which extend the Villans’ series of victories on their lawn to 15 matches.
Bend without breaking
We felt fatigue among Unai Emery’s players. The riot of energy in the middle of the week gave a cold sweat to the supporters gathered in Villa Park, when Bukayo Saka and others approached Emiliano Martinez’s goals. But the Gunners were never able to respond to John McGinn’s early opening goal.
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.
Credit: Getty Images
The Scottish captain concluded in the 7th minute a superb three-way move initiated by Boubacar Kamara in the Villans half (1-0). We had to wait until the half-hour mark to see Arsenal emerge from their lethargy. Martin Odegaard saw his first shot graze Martinez’s post (33rd) and the second repelled by the Argentine goalkeeper, Gabriel Martinelli’s dive was deflected by Diego Carlos (36th) and Martinez again won in front of Gabriel Jesus (42nd ).
City can get back up to par
Unrecognizable, Arsenal did not lack opportunities, simply precision. And at this level, it is not forgiving. Especially against Aston Villa, who have won all 8 games this season in which they opened the scoring. In Birmingham, Arsenal showed their limits. There was indeed this post on a corner poorly taken by Martinez (57th), these two goals refused to Saka (62nd), offside, and Havertz for a foul (90th)… But it was not enough to bring down a very solid team in its lair.
Liverpool are rubbing their hands. Victorious over Crystal Palace at the start of the afternoon, the Reds took the lead in the Premier League from Arsenal. The leading trio is in three units and the poor operation of the Gunners can allow Manchester City to also return to three points in the event of success at Luton Town on Sunday.
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