Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Gunners are STUNNED by late strikes

I’m not sure many people were expecting that.

After an impressive first-half display from Arsenal, we just expected that the goal would come after the break. We couldn’t have been more wrong.

The look of dejection on all of the Arsenal players was telling, just like Liverpool earlier, they knew how much of a slip-up that was.

I said last week after Liverpool’s draw at Manchester United that there would be more twists and turns in the title race.

Manchester City fans, how are you feeling?

I can just imagine that all the players and fans of the Citizens are jumping for joy, they would not have anticipated this.

With both Arsenal and Liverpool losing today, the Champions now sit top of the pile.

It’s looking ominous for the Gunners and the Reds.

The Emirates falls silent as the whistle is blown and their bubble bursts. Huge cheers are heard from the away end.

Arsenal couldn’t lose, but they did. The Gunners couldn’t take advantage of Liverpool’s loss to Crystal Palace earlier in the day.

The Gunners just weren’t with it in the second half, and Aston Villa took advantage of that, they were exceptional.

Their players go over to the away end and celebrate, what a huge day for them and their top-four hopes.

A monumental day in the title race. Pep Guardiola will be beaming.

The Aston Villa fans in the away end are having the time of their lives.

Most of the footballing world thought they would see their side on the end of a defeat.

However, they will be leaving the Emirates will smiles on their faces, and they will stay there for a very long time.

Remember, this win is huge for their Champions League hopes.

Aston Villa come close to a third, but it wouldn’t have counted.

Leon Bailey, who is slightly offside, pulls it back to Ollie Watkins, whose effort is saved by David Raya from close range.

The Emirates is basically empty now.

Can Arsenal use these eight minutes to recover?

It’s looking hugely unlikely, the life has been sucked out of the team and their fans.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal have looked absolutely terrified in the second half and much will be said about that.

Let’s not overlook the sheer brilliance of that Ollie Watkins finish, though. That’s one of the best pieces of centre-forward play I have seen all season. World class.

Those three minutes may have just changed the scape of this title race.

As it stands, Manchester City are heading top. We know what happens now then, don’t we?

What is happening to Arsenal, Jorginho gives the ball away and Aston Villa are on their way.

The ball is clipped over to Ollie Watkins who holds off Emile Smith-Rowe to delightfully chip over David Raya.

The Villa away end goes bonkers again, and Arsenal fans start to leave.

Aston Villa have been knocking at the door for some time now and Leon Bailey has just smashed it down.

Lucas Digne fires a cross right across goal that evades everybody, bu Bailey is lurking at the back post to turn it into an empty net.

The Emirates is stunned, this title race is wide open.

Arsenal fans can’t quite believe what has happened.

Arsenal are looking to freshen things up, but I’m surprised to see that Martin Odegaard is one of the players to make way.

The Arsenal captain is replaced by Emile Smith-Rowe, while Gabriel Jesus also comes off for Jorginho.

Aston Villa also make a change, Aleix Moreno is on for Nicolo Zaniolo, who put in one hell of a shift in the Villa shirt.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal have been awful in this second half, absolutely dreadful. They have been worse here (after the break) than Liverpool were in losing at home to Crystal Palace

Manchester City will not believe their luck if things stay like this…

Aston Villa are causing Arsenal all sorts of problems from corners, which they have had a fair few of now in succession.

Nothing comes from any of them though.

The frustration is there for all to see.

Desperation is seeking into Arsenal’s play and the crowd, the Gunners have no control over this game.

If anybody looks likely to score, it’s Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta has seen enough, he makes two changes.

Gabriel Martinelli replaces Leandro Trossard and Takehiro Tomiyasu is on for Ben White.

Also, there is good news for Gunners fans, Martin Odegaard is ok to continue.

Oh, that is silly from Diego Carlos.

The defender tries the spectacular with an overhead kick but the ball is headed away by Martin Odegaard, who gets walloped by Carlos’ boot in the chest.

I’m not quite sure why he tried that, Odegaard is hurt.

That’s better from Arsenal.

It’s almost like that effort from Youri Tielemans has pushed them into life.

Gabriel Jesus forces a smart save from Emi Martinez from distance.

Youri Tielemans has just rattled both the bar and the post with a sensational dipping effort from distance.

I’m not sure how that has not ended in the back of the net, I was almost certain the net would ripple.

Aston Villa are pinning back the title hopefuls here, Kai Havertz has just got a yellow card too.

I just heard a thud on the roof of my office, I think it may have been the ball after Declan Rice’s shot there…

The ball floats into the path of Rice and his volley flies miles over the bar, a poor effort.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Things have changed here at the Emirates now. It felt bright and optimistic and relatively inevitable in the first half, but it doesn’t know.

Arsenal have spent the first fifteen minutes of this second half playing edgy lateral football back and forth in front of the massed Villa ranks. No forward movement, no tempo.

Yes, they are nervous now alright….

Arsenal have not come out into this second half with the same vigor that they had in the first.

Aston Villa are enjoying their fair share of the ball now, it’s been a real change from the first period.

Ollie Watkins tries an audacious effort but it sails over, then the Arsenal fans try to rally their side.

Gabriel Jesus wants a penalty after he goes down under the challenge of Diego Carlos, but it’s waved away.

The Arsenal fans are incensed at the decision, but it was the correct one, Carlos did well and Jesus went down too easily for me.

After the midweek penalty debacle, we don’t want another…

The feeling of anxiety in the stadium is enormous, it feels like Anfield earlier.

This is what a title race does to the supporters involved in it, a goal will make a huge difference to that though.

The ball is rolling again, will we see Arsenal rise above the pressure to win this huge game, or can Aston Villa mount a shock in the second half?

The Arsenal players huddle, I wonder what is being said in there.

I’m assuming it’s along the lines of, ‘Let’s not mess this up’.

Unlike Liverpool earlier, Arsenal have been brilliant in this match, they just haven’t punished Aston Villa.

The longer time rolls on without a goal, the more nerves will start to play a part.

It’s a huge half for Arsenal, they won’t want to slip up now.

While Arsenal have been dominant, Aston Villa have thrown a few counter punches.

That Ollie Watkins chance just showed how they can still hurt the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s side really need to be wary of the counter-attack.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Martin Odegaard has been the best player on the field by a mile so far.

See, I’m not the only person to sing his praises in this blog.

How are your nerves Arsenal fans?

The referee blows for half-time and there is nothing to separate the two teams.

Arsenal have been dominant, but they just haven’t managed to find the back of the net with all their chances.

Emi Martinez is the main reason the scores are level, he made a crucial stop from Leandro Trossard’s close-range effort just seconds after Ollie Watkins hit the post.

It’s been a scintillating match so far.

Gabriel makes up for the foul by getting his face in the way of the free-kick.

In the meantime, two minutes have been added on.

Ooooh Gabriel, that is very naughty.

The Arsenal defender raises a high boot to the chest of Morgan Rogers right on the edge of the area.

If he had done that a fraction of a second later, it would have been a penalty.

Anyway, he gets a yellow card, and the free-kick is in a dangerous position.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta trying to lift the crowd as half-time nears but in truth, there is no need for that yet. Arsenal have actually played pretty well, they just haven’t scored.

The crowd seem a little nervous but, crucially, the players don’t.

Wow, what a save by Emni Martinez!

The former Arsenal keeper keeps the scores level with his feet, he somehow gets them in the way of Leandro Trossard’s effort from six yards out. That could be one of the saves of the season.

Bukayo Saka then fires inches wide. The goal just isn’t coming.

We really have a game now!

Ollie Watkins comes so close to an opener.

Gabriel makes a hash of a long ball and it bounces off Oleksandr Zinchenko to Watkins.

The England international drives at Gabriel and let’s fly, his effort comes off the inside of the post and rolls back out.

What a sucker punch that would have been.

Martin Odegaard is a special player and I will continue to sing his praises all game.

The Arsenal captain somehow pulls off a lovely flick to Kai Havertz, but his cross is headed over by Bukayo Saka.

Aston Villa are starting to look threatening on the counterattack.

Nicolo Zaniolo gets them on their way and gets clattered as he sets Moussa Diaby free.

Diaby has a go from distance but it’s blocked easily, and then the referee comes back to book Ben White for a shirt pull on Zaniolo.

It’s all happening at the Emirates.

Diego Carlos has been Aston Villa’s standout player so far.

He looks like he is on a mission to ensure Arsenal can’t get a shot off on goal, and he is doing a decent job at it.

This time he manages to nick the ball off Leandro Trossard, who goes down wanting a penalty.

Wow, Diego Carlos was moving there.

Kai Havertz looks like he is free and bearing down on goal, but Carlos tracks him down and puts the ball out for a corner.

That was mightily impressive, although, Havertz isn’t blessed with pace.

Aston Villa haven’t managed to get forward much, but they just made a little foray towards the Arsenal goal.

However, it ends up with a cross going out for a goal-kick.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Unai Emery looks rather like he used during those 18 months spent in the dug-out 20 yards to his left. Stressed…

The home side are starting to ramp up the pressure even more.

This time Gabriel Jesus sees an effort blocked, Aston Villa are doing really well here to keep it at 0-0.

Surely they won’t keep this level of defence up for a full 90 minutes, although Crystal Palace managed it at Anfield…

Xabi Alonso, is that you?

Oleksandr Zinchenko spots Emi Martinez off his line and goes for the unimaginable.

I’ll put it as nicely as I can, he should not ever try that again.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

Kai Havertz causing the Villa defence problems with his movement already. Nobody seems to know whether to go with him when he drops in to that pocket between the back four and the midfield.

On Arsenal’s right, however, Bukayo Saka already looks to have the beating of Villa left-back Lucas Digne. He just needs his quality of cross to be better.

Martin Odegaard again, so beautiful.

The Arsenal captain plays the exact pass to Bukayo Saka that I was on about earlier and this time Saka sends his effort into the side netting.

That was lovely football from Arsenal.

Oh, Gabriel Jesus, you have to do better there.

Bukayo Saka floats a lovely ball to the back post and Jesus meets it, but he can only find the side netting with his head.

The Brazilian has to put that right back across the keeper, and it would be 1-0.

The offside flag spares Kai Havertz’s blushes.

Havertz is set free by a ball over the top but looks like he is running through mud and is caught by three Aston Villa defenders before being foiled by Emi Martinez.

The flag then went up, although, it was tight…

Uh oh, Bukayo Saka looks like he is in some discomfort.

The Arsenal winger is holding his hip and that’s because Morgan Rogers went charging into the England international.

Aston Villa’s number 27 has been booked for the challenge.

Gunners fans will be hoping Saka can shake that off.

Strong save by former gunner, Emi Martinez.

Leandro Trossard cuts in and the slides in Kai Havertz, but he can only find the gloves of Martinez with a powerful strike.

Arsenal have started well here, they look like they mean business.

Arsenal are starting to get going here.

Bukayo Saka fires a ferocious cross into the area, but it flies past Kai Havertz too quickly and he can’t react.

It really did wizz past him.

Martin Odegaard’s passing is a sight to behold.

The Arsenal captain is a maestro and he feeds Bukayo Saka with a defence-splitting pass, but Saka’s cross is then blocked.

The combination of Odegaard and Saka is crucial to the way Arsenal play, and will be again today.

Aston Villa have started on the front foot and John McGinn has just wellied an effort into the face of Leandro Trossard.

He certainly felt that, I did too and I was just watching.

Ian Ladyman is right, you can feel the nerves inside the Emirates.

Arsenal will want to get off to a quick start and we are now underway.

This is set to be a cracker.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Emirates Stadium:

There were a few shouts and fist pumps among Arsenal staff in the media room at the Emirates when the whistle blew on Liverpool’s home defeat to Crystal Palace.

Arsenal’s job now is to ensure that a two-horse race doesn’t become a procession for Manchester City.

I have to say the Emirates isn’t sounding quite as excitable as I expected. Like every team at this stage of the season, an early goal may be needed to settle some nerves…

This game now feels bigger than before after the Liverpool result.

The atmosphere is tense but loud, and expectations are high at the Emirates.

Will they be cheering with regularity today, or will Aston Villa take another step toward Champions League football.

Despite the slightly frustrating draw in midweek against Bayern Munich, Arsenal have been in sensational form since the turn of the year, winning 10 of their 11 league games.

They’ve conceded just four goals in that time in what is an astonishing record, with the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White in inspired form.

And what a huge opportunity for the Gunners to return to the top of the Premier League this afternoon.

Did anybody see that coming,I certainly did it.

I wonder if the Arsenal players will have seen this result, will it affect them out on the pitch? I doubt it.

I big chance for the Gunners to tighten their grip on this title race.

It was a frustrating evening for Arsenal last time these sides met, with John McGinn’s goal the difference before Kai Havertz had a late equaliser disallowed.

The victory for Villa came in the midst of their stunning run of 15 home wins in a row.

They’ll be hoping for a replica of that performance at the Emirates today and you can catch up on highlights from the clash at Villa Park below.

One man missing today for Aston Villa is Douglas Luiz, with the Brazilian midfielder suspended.

He’s been integral in Villa’s transformation under Unai Emery and this week he sat down with Mail Sport’s IAN LADYMAN for a fascinating interview.

Luiz’s journey from the favelas to international football was discussed, plus his relationship with superstar women’s footballer Alisha Lehmann and his experiences working with both Emery and Pep Guardiola.

Read the brilliant piece below…

There’s sure to be plenty more twists and turns to come in the title race, but one of the shocks of the season is currently unfolding at Anfield.

Liverpool hadn’t lost at home since February 2023 before their dismal 3-0 defeat by Atalanta on Thursday, but they could be about to lose two home matches in a row.

The Reds trail Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze’s early goal and would lose vital ground in the title race with a defeat.

You can follow full coverage of the final stages of that crunch clash below…

A slight delay from Arsenal’s social media team in announcing their line-up, but here we are.

It’s three changes from Mikel Arteta after their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in midweek, with Zinchenko, Trossard and Jesus replacing Kiwior, Martinelli and Jorginho.

The Gunners will be desperate to get back to the top of the league after Man City hammered Luton 5-1 yesterday.

Unai Emery makes two changes from the side that beat Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

Douglas Luiz is suspended, so Nicolo Zaniolo is rewarded with a rare start.

Meanwhile, Moussa Diaby replaces Leon Bailey, who drops to the bench.

Former Arsenal keeper Emi Martinez will be hoping to make his former club pay today.

Arsenal are out to prove a point today after Emery’s men got the better of the Gunners when these two sides last met in December.

The Villains – enjoying a real hot streak of results at the time – won 1-0 courtesy of a very well worked team move finished by John McGinn.

Will it be revenge or repeat this time around?

Villa seem to be in a bullish mood ahead of their trip to London, at least according to winger Morgan Rogers.

Before the game, he was asked about his side’s chances against the title contenders, before referencing their 1-0 win over them at Villa Park earlier in the campaign.

Read the full story below.

We’ve got a huge clash in the title race coming up for you at the Emirates in a game that also has massive ramifications for the top four race.

It should be an intriguing and entertaining one in north London as Mikel Arteta welcomes his Arsenal predecessor Unai Emery looking for a third league win in a row.

Villa, meanwhile, have stuttered a little bit in their quest to reach Europe’s elite after losing 4-1 to Man City before a 3-3 draw to Brentford, but they will take confidence from top four rivals Tottenham being thrashed 4-0 by Newcastle yesterday.

Tune in and follow our live blog for all the latest updates, team news and goals as they happen.