GINN SHOT Winger’s winner lifts Villa to A TONIC
THESE are days of wonder at Villa Park. After taking the scalp of champions Manchester City in midweek, they added that of Arsenal four days on to knock Mikel Arteta’s side off the top of the Premier League table.
John Mcginn’s seventh-minute goal proved sufficient as Villa held firm to notch their 15th successive home league win – a new club record.
It took Villa to within two points of the summit themselves in a season which is taking on dream-like status.
There was nothing fairy tale about last night’s spit-andsawdust win – it was as earthy as they come – but in becoming only the second side to beat Arsenal in the league this season they demonstrated a granite resolve and a streetwise streak that could carry them a long way in this campaign.
Arsenal huffed and they puffed but they found, as many more have done before them, that noone blows the Villa house down.
The captain’s goal from Mcginn proved the difference.
Teed-up by Leon Bailey, he spun in the Arsenal penalty area before firing left-footed past David Raya.
Arsenal dominated possession, pinning Villa back and pressing them into mistakes but could not find a way past Emi Martinez.
The Villa goalkeeper made important first-half stops from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus. And when Gabriel Martinelli did evade Martinez, Diego Carlos was on hand to clear.
Villa were content to hold what they had, with Arsenal trying to spring the home side’s high defensive line.
The pattern remained the same after the break with Jesus having a penalty shout turned down following a VAR check after Douglas Luiz made contact with the Brazilian in the area.
Arsenal hit the post in the 57th minute when Martinez spilled Saka’s corner onto the back of Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
A minute later Odegaard blew a glorious opening, holding his head in his hands in anguish after pulling a left-footed shot wide.
Saka had the ball in the net for Arsenal but the goal was ruled out for offside.
With Villa tiring, manager Unai Emery, who had named the same starting team, rolled out his
substitutes, freshening up his line-up.
The slender margin made for a tense finish and Arsenal had the ball in the Villa net again in the 90th minute.
But a VAR check judged there was insufficient reason to overturn referee Jarred Gillett’s decision that Kai Havertz had handled the ball in the build-up.
The tension was palpable but belief is strong these days at Villa and amid tumultuous noise, they found their way to the finish line.
Job done. Another of the Premier League big dogs tamed. Heady days indeed at Villa Park.