Arsenal vs Aston Villa 4-1: Premier League – as it happened

Arsenal go five points clear into the new year as they continue their march to a first title in 22 years.

Aston Villa, whose nine-match winning streak comes to a crushing halt, will look to maintain a stranglehold on a Champions League spot.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of today’s match, and on behalf of Kevin Hand, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

Senegal and DR Congo have also progressed at the 2025 AFCON on Tuesday. Click here to read our reports from their respective games.

Click here to read our full roundup of the Premier League action on Tuesday.

In our other live game of they day, Nigeria beat Uganda 3-1 at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in our featured AFCON game of the day. Click here to read our full match report.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta dissected the match with Sky Sports: “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.

“The first 10 minutes were a bit shaky, and we had to adjust things, but credit to them because they managed to break our press twice and were able to run, which they are very dangerous at.

“After that, we grabbed the game, and we were creating the chances. The way we started the second half was amazing; we really turned things up and were efficient in everything that we did.

“We had to be really meticulous and understand the timing at which we were doing everything. It’s a big credit to my players, because against this team. It isn’t easy.

“We have created a lot of chances in the last few weeks, but we saw the difference today. We needed scrappy goals to win other games, but today, the quality of our finishing was top and made the difference.

“We saw it today. He came back [Gabriel Magalhaes] after six weeks out, which should’ve probably been eight weeks out, but he came back earlier. He composed himself against probably one of the best strikers in the league, who is very hard to mark. I thought he was tremendous.

“It’s not an issue [Aston Villa boss Unai Emery not shaking hands]. Sometimes, we are in this sort of moment, so it’s not an issue for me.”

Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers spoke with Sky Sports: “It got difficult because they are such a good team. They are where they are in the league for a reason. They are relentless, and they just keep going.

“I thought we were really good in the first half; we were really proud of how we played. On another day, we might’ve created one more clear-cut chance to maybe go in front, but they were really solid and really good.

“In the second half, they just kept the pressure on, and it’s really tough to come to a place like this. We knew we would have to ride our luck, but they were just too clinical – sometimes that happens.

“Nothing really changed on either side in the second half, but once you get that opening goal, then the momentum comes with it. When you’re 1-0 up, then you get more confidence and play more freely; that’s definitely what happened for them. When the goals started coming thick and fast, you knew it was done.

“It’s nothing bad to lose 4-1 to the best team in the league at the moment. We just have to dust ourselves down and be proud of the winning run we’ve been on.

“I have my own opinion [on Mikel Merino deserving a second booking], but so does everyone else. That’s just the way football is: some decisions go your way and some don’t.

“The decision might be disappointing on our side, but there are probably other games where other teams are disappointed when we get decisions.

“I always have my own opinion, sometimes it might be right and sometimes it might be delusional. The better team won today, so there can be no arguments.”

Gabriel Magalhaes is awarded Player of the Match, and had this to say to Sky Sports: “First, I want to say thanks God because it was difficult days for me. I always want to help the team. I’m so happy to be back, and I think today was a brilliant day for everyone, how we work together. I think we need to keep going. We are so happy.

“It’s difficult to play against them. They want to delay the game, but we know we play at home, and the second half, we’re just pushing. We score the first goal, and after, the team was unbelievable.”

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus spoke to Sky Sports following the match: “It was amazing. It is always hard to play against them. They have brilliant players. They can hurt us.

“They tried to delay the game at the beginning, but the mentality of this team is really growing, and it is growing with each game.

“I said after the last game when they asked me about him [Gabriel Magalhaes]. The moment he steps on the pitch, you can see the difference in the backline. He loves to attack the way he defends, and he loves to score goals, too.”

Our next live page will come from the AFCON 2025 round of 16.

Make sure to stay tuned to our extensive coverage of the tournament, and find out which of the knockout stage matches will be our first featured game.

With six matches completed, here are the updated results:

• Burnley 1-3 Newcastle
• Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Everton
• West Ham 2-2 Brighton
• Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa
• Manchester United 1-1 Wolves

Arsenal go five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, with 45 points after 19 matches played.

Aston Villa stay in third place with 39 points, and are just a point behind Guardiola’s side.

The league leaders were simply the better side on the night, and the final result emphatically backs that.

The Gunners had 19 shots to Villa’s nine, while also finding the target on seven occasions.

Villa had opportunities to go ahead, but were unable to convert them. The match was significantly different in the second half, with Arsenal scoring in the opening five minutes.

Trossard and then Jesus added the proverbial cherry on top of what was a massively important victory for the London-based side.

Full-time: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa 

Arsenal make yet another statement as they dismantle Aston Villa at home.

Full-time: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa 

Malen, despite having markers around him, is able to spin and turn into the box.

He runs out of space, though by the near post, but not before he pokes the ball past the keeper.

Watkins then rushes on to bury the ball once and for all into the goal to give the visiting Villa fans something to finally cheer about.

It is Villa’s first actual shot on target all match.

90+4 mins: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa 

The ball is crossed into the Arsenal box, with Watkins trying to get away a shot by the far post.

Unbelievably, the ball ends up coming off the bar and deflecting towards a lurking McGinn. The midfielder tries to poke it past Raya, but hits it straight at the keeper, and Villa are still held goalless.

90+2 mins: Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa 

Arsenal just need to hold a bit longer here.

Villa will want this to end as soon as possible.

90 mins: Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa 

They are playing keep away as the crowd praises each successful pass for good measure.

It really has been a magnificent display from them, and will set up the New Year festivities just right for the fans.

86 mins: Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa