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Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates in the Premier League with the Gunners looking to keep up the pressure on Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s side moved to within four points of the Reds at the summit of the Premier League after their north London derby success in midweek, though yet more injury strife indicates that they may need to spend in the transfer market to keep up their pursuit. While Liverpool do still have a game in hand, Arteta is certain that a re-energised title race will continue to twist and turn.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, will recognise that victory here would be a huge boost in the hunt for European football. They dealt their opponents a huge blow during last season and will be out to enact something similar in London this evening as they continue to balance league action with a promising continental campaign.
Follow all of the latest from the Emirates Stadium in our live blog below:
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
59 min: Villa have been on the attack since the goal but Arsenal have all the control now, though Martinelli can’t make the most of a promising counter-attack opportunity.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:48
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
55 min: GOAL! Out of nowhere, the Gunners have doubled the lead!
It’s more brilliant work from Trossard, who twists and turns to create space for the cross and fizzes in a low ball straight to Havertz, who volleys in at the near post!
The shot took a deflection off Martinez as he tried to save it, and nestled in the far corner!
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:46
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
51 min: The first set-piece is headed behind, so Arsenal come again. The ball in is cleared and falls to Trossard, whose volley is then blocked.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:40
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
49 min: So close to a second for the hosts as Trossard pokes in a pass to Lewis-Skelly, who fires in a cross that Digne clears for a corner.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:39
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
47 min: An early free-kick from Arsenal, on the left wing around 10 yards from the box.
Odegaard swings it in and it’s an inviting ball, but Havertz heads over from six yards.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:37
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
Back underway in the capital as the hosts get us started.
Maatsen does indeed make way for Digne.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:34
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
The teams are emerging from the tunnel again at the Emirates. Lucas Digne was warming up at half-time, so you’d assume he’ll come on for Maatsen.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:33
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
Another decent half for the neutral at the Emirates, with chances for both sides and a good goal to give Arsenal the lead.
The hosts have been deserving of their lead too, limiting Villa to counter-attacking chances.
The visitors have performed to a decent level, but they haven’t had the final touch in attack – they’ve shown that they can hurt Arsenal on the counter though, if the Gunners give up chances.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:29
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:25
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
The referee brings the first half to an end, and the hosts lead at the break at the Emirates. A deserved lead, just about.
Chris Wilson18 January 2025 18:19