Arsenal ends 2025 with a 4-1 win over Aston Villa
Arsenal's first team once again demonstrated their status as the favorites to win the English Premier League title for the first time since 2004, after overcoming a tough test against third-placed Aston Villa with a resounding 4-1 victory on Tuesday in the 19th round of the league. This win secured them a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta's team extended their lead to five points over second-placed City, who welcome the new year on Thursday away to Sunderland. Meanwhile, Aston Villa's title hopes, their first since 1981, were dashed as they remained on 39 points in third place, six points behind Arsenal, after their 11-match winning streak in all competitions – their longest since 1914 – came to an end. Arsenal started the match brightly but created few clear-cut chances, with the exception of two headers from Swede Viktor Jukkaris that went just over the bar and a long-range effort from Belgian Leandro Trossard that was saved by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the 21st minute. Villa, on the other hand, relied on counter-attacks that troubled the Gunners' defense and their Spanish goalkeeper David Raya.
The score remained 0-0 until the end of the first half, before Arsenal struck early in the second with two quick goals. The first came from a header by Brazilian Gabriel after a corner kick taken by Bukayo Saka in the 48th minute, and the second from Spaniard Martin Submendi after a through ball from Norwegian Martin Ødegaard in the 52nd minute. The Gunners delivered the knockout blow to their visitors with a superb third goal by Trossard with a shot from the edge of the box in the 69th minute, before the Brazilian Gabriel Jesus, returning from injury, added a fourth just seconds after coming on with a brilliant strike from outside the area in the 78th minute. Villa pulled one back very late through their star Ollie Watkins after a fine run by Dutchman Donyell Malen (90+4).