Aston Villa picked up a huge 2-0 win over Arsenal to regain fourth place in the Premier League table, and dent the home team’s title hopes. Unai Emery and Emiliano Martinez returned to the Emirates Stadium and left with a smile on their faces after winning against their old team, after a solid performance.
The visitors played on the counter, and Ollie Watkins struck the post early in the game. It seemed as if one goal would decide the game considering how cagey it turned out to be in the end, but Villa hit two with Leon Bailey coming off the bench to score his goal, before Watkins got on the scoresheet to write off the Gunners.
Aston Villa damage Arsenal’s title hopes with shocking win
Emiliano Martinez doing fist pumps after a huge win at the Emirates 👊🔥pic.twitter.com/1lubcuIHt8
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 14, 2024
Emiliano Martinez made a number of important saves to deny Arsenal the goal, and kept a clean sheet on his return to the Emirates too. Diego Carlos also put in a remarkable shift, showing his impressive pace to catch Kai Havertz on multiple occasions after being played in behind.
Watkins, on the other hand, continued his remarkable scoring streak and showed why he is one of the best in the Premier League right now. The loss doesn’t discredit Arsenal but shows how good of a team Villa have become since Unai Emery’s arrival.
Mikel Arteta’s side didn’t do enough to see the game through, as their chances weren’t as high quality. However, even in front of goal, a brilliant shift from their former keeper has seemingly ended their title race for the second season in a row, on the same day that Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace to blow their advantage in the table.
