ARSENAL are scrambling to try and get a late equaliser at Villa Park.
Ollie Watkins’ second-minute strike gave the home side the lead and Emi Martinez was fantastic in the Villa goal against his former side.
Stay up to date with all the reaction in our live blog…
THAT’S A WRAP
So we didn’t get as many goals as expected but the Villa fans won’t care because it’s their team who were victorious today.
Ollie Watkins who bagged a brace at the Emirates in November, got himself on the scoresheet once more in only 74 seconds.
And the game plan for Dean Smith’s side was pretty simple after that -Defend and counter when you can which in all fairness, they executed perfectly.
Apart from an acrobatic save from a Xhaka free-kick, Martinez never had much to do against his former side.
At one stage, the Gunners had three players who play in that ‘number 10’ role all on the field at the same time.
But Tyrone Mings and co managed to shut out Arsenal for a second consecutive time this season.
Thanks for sticking with me and don’t go anywhere as we have plenty of action for you here on SunSport.
Enjoy your weekend people!
MATCH REPORT
To get an insight of how we thought the players performed in this afternoon’s game.
CLICK HERE FOR THE MATCH REPORT
I must admit that a few players received some harsh ratings but go check it out for yourself.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
After a disappointing week, the Gunners will have to wait until Valentines Day to bounce back against Leeds before resuming their Europa League campaign.
UPDATED STANDINGS
Aston Villa jump up to 8th spot after claiming all three points meaning that they are only two points off a place in Europe.
As for Arsenal, they stay in 10th and European qualification seems to be slipping further and further away.
74 SECONDS
Let’s have a look Watkins’ strike in 74 seconds which turned out to be the match winning goal.
WATKINS POST-MATCH ANALYSIS
The winning goal scorer of the game Ollie Watkins telling the media how much that win meant to his team and describing how he finished his opportunity.
Watkins said: “It’s a big result here. We’ve played some good stuff but we haven’t always got the results we wanted at home.
“But yes delighted with that today, we grinded it out and that’s what it’s all about really.
“Bit of confusion at the back for them. I think it’s come off my left foot, hit the defender and then gone in but I’ll take that.
“I think we were a bit off it against West Ham and they punished us for that so we needed a big reaction today and I think we showed that out there.”
WAT’S THE MATTER?
Ollie Watkins has become the first English player since Gabriel Agbonlahor in 2009/10 to reach ten Premier League goals in a season for Aston Villa.
What a striker he is becoming.
FULL TIME STATS
Same old story from the first half.
The Gunners with all the possession but not enough clear cut chances created.
Aston Villa should be proud of their performance today.
VICTORIOUS
The boys from Birmingham enjoyed that one.
Villa really did defend for their lives and it was worth it in the end!
PEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
JUST AS I THOUGHT THAT’S IT!
THE REF BLOWS TO END THE GAME!
FT: VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
90+5. The corner is cleared and that should be enough to get Aston Villa over the line.
It’s all on the referee Chris Kavanagh now.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
90+4. ONE LAST CHANCE!
The Gunners have a corner in the last minute.
Can they make it count?
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
90+1. The ball went out to the left again for Saka to whip it in which has been a feature of this second half.
But Martinez sprinted off his line and even took a boot to the stomach just to collect the ball.
You can see what this means to the ex-Arsenal goalkeeper.
FIVE MINUTES OF ADDITIONAL TIME!
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
89. CHEEKY RAMSEY!
The youngster skipped past one Arsenal player and went for the curler but Ryan was able to catch it with ease.
The Villa midfielder isn’t short of confidence and what a story that would of been.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
87. We are entering the dying minutes of the game and time is running out for Arsenal to get the equaliser.
And Martinez is moments away from keeping consecutive clean sheets against his former team.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
82. That left-hand side is looking so dangerous for the Gunners.
Pepe played it out to Saka who then rolled it across for Odegaard to put his foot through it.
But the Norwegian wasn’t able to keep it down to the delight of Dean Smith and his team.
Absolutely huge chance for him to get his first goal for the club.
PARTEY POOPER
Thomas Partey leaving the field after picking up another injury.
He’s had such a stop start career in North London so far.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
77. OUTSTANDING SAVE FROM RYAN AGAIN!
Jack Grealish picked up the ball on the left hand side, went round the outside of Bellerin and got a shot off on his weaker left foot.
But Mat Ryan made an acrobatic save in between those Arsenal sticks to deny the England international inflicting more pain on his team.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
76. Dean Smith has decided to drag off Ross Barkley for Jacob Ramsey to try and get some control of the game.
Barkley didn’t look too happy in coming off I have to admit.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
75. The corner was easily dealt and Aston Villa can breathe a sigh of relief for now.
But the way things are going, you can guarantee Arsenal will be back for more.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
73. Arsenal have a corner but before they take it, Willian has just replaced Partey who has picked up what looks to be a slight knock.
Huge blow for the Gunners.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
72. Villa are struggling to hold the ball at the minute.
Every time the Claret and Blue’s regain possession, the Gunners are on them in a flash.
How long will they be able to sustain this pressure for?
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The home side are doubling up on every Arsenal player that touches the ball.
VILLA 1-0 ARSENAL
66. Arsenal have gone up a gear.
That left hand-side of Pepe and Saka is starting to cause all sorts of problems to the Villa defence.
The game is really heating up now.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
