Arsenal went to their home game against Aston Villa this evening (Sunday) knowing that Liverpool lost at home to Crystal Palace, with a golden opportunity to return to the top of the table at the expense of Manchester City and open a three-point gap on the Merseysiders. Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta, it didn’t happen: the Gunners lost 2:0, and therefore the reigning champion remained in first place, with a two-point advantage, six games to the end of the season.
Arteta made several changes to the squad, with an eye also on the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich in three days, and while his team was more dangerous, they were unable to subdue the excellent Emiliano Martinez. Villa, who also surprised Arsenal in the first round, waited patiently and then stung – first through Leon Bailey (85) and then through Ollie Watkins (87), to open a three-point gap on Tottenham in the battle for fourth place.
Habertz was close to the conquest, but was unable to subdue Martins | Imagebank GettyImages
the progress of the game
12th minute: Arsenal was close to the first goal after Trusser put a deep pass into Havretz and stood in front of the goal, but Martinez made an excellent save and headed over.
16th minute: Habertz could have scored again after he ran to the defense and was left one on one against Martins for the second time, but he hesitated, closed well and Martins came out and headed.
18th minute: Arsenal’s pressure is increasing. Gabriel Jesus struck from the penalty area, but into the outer net.
It’s not easy for Arsenal against Martins Reuters
38th minute: After long minutes without a real threat, Odegur raised Lasaka who shot over the goal.
40 min: Villa’s deadly burst ended with Watkins’ kick, Raya had already surrendered and the ball stopped on the crossbar luckily for the Gunners. Half a minute passed and Arsenal went on an attack that ended with a huge save by Martinez, who prevented Trussar from scoring from Jesus’ cross.
42nd minute: Saka entered the box and kicked near the crossbar. There are no gates in the Emirates yet.
Another huge save by the Argentinian, this time against Trosar Reuters
62nd minute: Tillams unleashed a tremendous kick outside the area, the ball flew to the crossbar, also hit the crossbar and did not go in. Good luck to Arsenal.
63rd minute: Jesus on the edge of the penalty area kicked the frame, but the excellent Martinez was there and headed.
85th minute – goal! After all the misses, Arsenal were punished: Luca Dean’s cross from the left went through the entire defense, Leon Bailey said thanks and rolled in. 0:1 to Aston Villa.
Willa has done it again Imagebank GettyImages
87th minute – goal! unbelievable! 0:2 to Aston Villa: Tillmans sent a long ball, Watkins raced forward, jumped over Raia and saw the ball hit the net.
Arsenal player Gabriel Martinelli | Imagebank GettyImages, ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP
The 33rd round will end tomorrow when Chelsea host Everton (Monday, 22:00, Sport1)
