SOCCER: Arsenal halt Villa charge to stay clear in title race

LONDON – Premier League leaders Arsenal put the brakes on Aston Villa’s momentum with a commanding 4-1 home victory on Tuesday, extending their lead at the top of the table to five points heading into the New Year.

Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi early in the second half gave Arsenal control of a match that initially looked dangerous against a Villa side riding an 11-match winning streak.

Defender Gabriel opened the scoring from a corner in the 48th minute, before Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard threaded a pass to Zubimendi, who netted four minutes later.

Arsenal sealed the win when Leandro Trossard fired in from the edge of the box, and Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to add a fourth following a fluid team move. Ollie Watkins scored a consolation goal for Villa in stoppage time after missing several chances in the first half.

The win moved Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have a chance to close the gap when they face Sunderland on Thursday. Villa, who failed to capitalize on an impressive first half, remain in third place, six points behind Arsenal, suffering their first defeat in nearly two months.

Arsenal had lost three of their last five league games against Villa, including a last-minute defeat at Villa Park earlier in December, which had sparked talk of a three-way title race.

With midfield engine Declan Rice sidelined by a knee injury after playing in every Premier League game this season, Arsenal appeared vulnerable in a confident Villa first half. But once they broke the deadlock, the outcome was never in doubt.

“A Beautiful Evening”

“It is a beautiful evening. That was a very tough match, as we knew it would be, because they are a top opponent to play against,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “The way we started the second half was amazing. We really turned things up and were efficient in everything that we did.”

Gabriel’s return from injury in Arsenal’s narrow win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday was a major boost, not only for his defensive skills but also as a scoring threat. His physical presence proved too much for Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who mishandled Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner, allowing Gabriel to score his 17th Premier League goal from a corner.

Four minutes later, all first-half nerves vanished as Odegaard set up Spanish midfielder Zubimendi for his first goal since September. Villa struggled to regain composure, and Trossard scored Arsenal’s third after an Odegaard cross was left uncleared. Jesus added the fourth from Trossard’s pass following a move that began deep in Arsenal’s half, igniting the New Year celebrations in North London.

The first half, however, had been dominated by a disciplined Villa, who repeatedly snuffed out Arsenal attacks. Viktor Gyokeres struggled again, heading two attempts off target. Watkins had a golden chance to put Villa ahead when Gyokeres lost possession and Ezri Konsa set him up, but he scuffed the shot wide. He later sent another effort over as Villa looked threatening.

By the time Watkins scored, the result was already decided.

“We just have to dust ourselves off and be proud of the winning run we’ve been on,” Villa’s Morgan Rogers said.

-Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters