MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 10:34:22| >> :120:51878:51878:
[monks data]
Arsenal logo
Premier League | Gameweek 33
Apr 14, 2024 at 4.30pm UK
Emirates Stadium
Aston Villa logo

Arsenal
0 - 2
Aston Villa


White (36'), Magalhaes (45'), Havertz (63')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Bailey (84'), Watkins (87')
Rogers (14')

Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins strike late to stun Arsenal

Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins strike late to stun Arsenal
© Reuters
Arsenal suffer a setback in their Premier League title bid after they concede two late goals to lose 2-0 to Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Arsenal suffered a major setback in their Premier League title bid after they conceded two late goals to lose 2-0 in their home clash with Aston Villa.

Both teams had chances to take the lead in the first period as Ollie Watkins hit the post before ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a superb reaction save to deny Leandro Trossard.

The Gunners were ultimately punished for allowing the game to drift in the second period, with Leon Bailey scoring in the 84th minute before Watkins registered his 19th goal of the Premier League season.

The Villans saw out the closing stages to complete a league double over Arsenal and boost their hopes of securing a top-four finish.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are left sitting in second place and two points adrift of leaders Manchester City after entering the weekend in pole position.

Aston Villa's Lucas Digne in action with Arsenal's Bukayo Saka on April 14, 2024© Reuters

Mikel Arteta's side were the last of the title contenders to play on matchday 32 after Manchester City thrashed Luton Town 5-1 on Saturday and Liverpool suffered a surprise defeat in their home meeting with Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

With the Gunners looking to make a positive start, Gabriel Jesus was presented with a promising opportunity in the opening 20 minutes, but he could only send his far post header into the side netting.

Despite receiving little of the ball in the first period, Watkins still managed to threaten the Arsenal goal, with his right-foot strike bouncing off the post to the relief of the home faithful.

Just moments later, Arsenal went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Trossard was denied by Martinez at point-blank range.

Bukayo Saka then fizzed an effort wide of the Argentine's goal, ensuring that the two sides went into the break on level terms.

While the second period got off to a cagey start, both teams had opportunities to open the scoring just after the hour mark.

Aston Villa's Leon Bailey celebrates scoring their first goal with John McGinn on April 14, 2024© Reuters

Youri Tielemans picked up the ball on the corner of the box, before seeing his thunderous strike hit the crossbar and brushing the post on the way down.

Jesus then threatened at the opposite end of the pitch, forcing Martinez to make a strong stop down low to his left.

Just as it seemed as though the game would finish goalless, former Arsenal boss Unai Emery saw his Aston Villa side produce a strong finish to snatch all three points.

First, Bailey arrived at the back post to meet Lucas Digne's low cross and guide home his ninth Premier League goal of the season.

Moments later, Watkins latched onto Tielemans's long pass, before driving towards the box and calmly lifting the ball over David Raya.

While the Villans are now three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal have significant work to do if they are to end their 20-year wait for the Premier League title.

The Gunners will have to quickly pick themselves up for Wednesday's trip to the Allianz Arena for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.

ID:541345:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5307:No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Arsenal
72.8%
Draw
17.5%
Aston Villa
9.7%
206
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks dejected after Manchester City scores their third goal on April 3, 2024
Read Next:
Emery offers triple fitness update, explains squad rotation in Man City loss
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!