Aston Villa Defeat Arsenal to Close on Premier League Lead

With a thrilling 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday, John McGinn’s goal propelled fast-rising Aston Villa to a club-record 15th straight home Premier League victory, keeping Mikel Arteta’s Gunners from taking back the top spot in the standings.

After 16 games in a fiercely competitive title race, Unai Emery’s team, who stunned champions Manchester City with a commanding 1-0 victory on Wednesday, are now third with 35 points, while Arsenal, who were passed by Liverpool earlier on Saturday, are in second place with 36.

“I’m banning the T-word,” a laughing McGinn said when asked if Villa were title contenders. “It’s game week 16, so there’s a long, long way to go, and we respect everyone in front of us who have been in this position for years. We’re newbies. Can we keep it up? Hopefully.”

In the seventh minute, Leon Bailey ran down the right wing, cut back the ball, and found McGinn, setting up a wild scene at Villa Park. The captain of Villa took one touch, spun quickly, and shot past goalie David Raya.

Arsenal thought they had equalized in added time before VAR determined that Kai Havertz handled the ball while firing it past goalie Emiliano Martínez from a goalmouth scramble.

“Well, it’s a great place to play football when the fans are behind you like that. It’s very, very difficult for away teams to come and play,” McGinn said of their remarkable home record. “I remember the last team to beat us here was Arsenal and that game certainly stung us, so today was a little bit of revenge.”Long may it continue and if we keep our home form up, then hopefully we can achieve something this season.”

Martin Odegaard had multiple opportunities for Arsenal to tie the score but just couldn’t hit a goal. In the first half, the Norwegian fired a low shot just inches from the post and another right at Martínez. After the break, he also missed the post with a close-range shot, adding to his frustration.

In the 61st minute, Bukayo Saka beat Martínez to shoot into the empty net, but he was flagged for offside. After receiving his third red card of the season, Arteta, whose north London team was coming off four straight victories, was sent to the directors’ box for the duration of the match and served a one-match ban.