Arsenal host Aston Villa in the Premier League for Sunday’s late kick off hoping to leap ahead of Manchester City to regain top spot in the table.
The Gunners are full of confidence following a 3-0 victory over Brighton last weekend but know that they must not drop points with the title race on such a knife edge. The title is now in Arsenal’s hands after Liverpool suffered a shock home defeat to Crystal Palace, while City defeated Luton 5-1 on Saturday to move top.
Today’s encounter will not be an easy one for Mikel Arteta’s side, though. Aston Villa have been in fine form all season and defeated the Gunners 1-0 at Villa Park earlier this season.
Unai Emery’s team are battling with Spurs for fourth, and a potential Champions League spot, heading into the closing stages of the season. Tottenham’s defeat to Newcastle yesterday means Villa would move three points ahead should they triumph at the Emirates
65 mins: Here come the Arsenal changes: Trossard is replaced by Martinelli and Ben White makes way for Takehiro Tomiyasu.
There was a concern as Odegaard stayed down after being landed on in the box following a corner, but the captain is back up and going.
Oh my goodness how close was this from Youri Tielemans! It’s almost wonderful from the Belgian, after Zinchenko gave the ball away on the corner of the box after a corner was cleared. Tielemans sent an effort bending towards the top corner, only for it to strike the underside of the bar and then off the post!
It’s the second time Villa have hit both posts with one shot!
60 mins: Saka’s corner is cleared by Rogers at the front post and Rice’s volley blazes over the bar.
Here comes the Villa change: it’s Diaby for Bailey in a straight swap.
58 mins: Emery is going to play his hand first, however, with Leon Bailey getting ready on the Villa bench. The visitors have a platform in this game.
55 mins: It’s been a frustrating day for Gabriel Jesus, who have struggled on his chance to lead the line. Arteta will be looking to his bench by now, and the Brazilian could be the first to make way. Jesus is caught offside as Rice tried to spring an attack
53 mins: The chants are rising from the away end in the corner of the Emirates. Aston Villa have started the second half well, and belief is growing among their number that they could earn themselves a big result here.
49 mins: Arsenal do get a free kick as Tielemans is caught with a hand ball on the edge of the box. It’s in a decent position…
… nothing comes of it.
47 mins: Jesus hops over Carlos’s outstretched leg and appeals for a penalty, but that’s dismissed immediately.
45 mins: Back underway. Arsenal are now six and a half games from their first title in 20 years, but they need to beat Villa.
