‘We really had them’ – Arteta laments mistakes in defeat to title rivals Man City
Arsenal hope to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night when they take on Aston Villa in the early Premier League kick off this afternoon. Mikel Arteta‘s side lost 3-1 to City in a result that saw Pep Guardiola’s team leapfrog them at the top of the table.
The Gunners have not won in four matches across all competitions and have dropped eight points from their last three league games thanks to losses against City and Everton and a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Arteta’s men are stumbling in their title challenge but a victory today will set them back on the right track.
Arsenal are reuniting with former boss Unai Emery who will take charge of Aston Villa for this encounter. Emery managed the Gunners from 2018 to 2019 before he was sacked and joined Villarreal. Villa have developed under Emery and are a tough team to beat losing only four of the 12 league games since he took over. However two of those defeats came in their last two outings and they midlands side will be eager to avoid a three successive loss today.
Follow all the action as Aston Villa host Arsenal in the Premier League:
HT Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
A wonderful first 45 minutes from Aston Villa sees them lead Arsenal by two goals to one. Bukayo Saka has given the visitors a chance to get back in this one but Villa have the advantage going into the second half.
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Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:24
Half-time: Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
45+2 mins: There’s a little bust up after Martin Odegaard is tackled by Tyrone Mings. When it all dies down the half-time whistle goes and Aston Villa take a lead into the break.
Work for Arsenal to do in the second half.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:20
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
45 mins: Jorginho switches the ball over to Saka on the right wing. He whips in a cross that gets headed over to John McGinn who completes the clearance for Aston Villa.
Two minutes of added time to play.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:16
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
41 mins: Saka brings the ball under control when it comes over the top and drives it into the box. He lays it off to Odegaard who rolls a pass back to Jorginho.
Jorginho threads the ball through the lines but it’s too heavy for Saka to keep in play.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:14
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
37 mins: Saka and Odegaard combine on the edge of the penalty area but Buendia gets back for Villa to tackle Saka and force the winger to knock the ball out for a goal kick.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:11
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
34 mins: Aston Villa have been very good today. They’ve been disciplined in defence and have moved the ball quickly in attack. They only blip was Tyrone Mings’ clearance that led to Bukayo Saka’s goal.
Arsenal have to come from behind again.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:09
GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal (Coutinho, 31’)⚽️
31 mins: Lovely goal! Aston Villa bring the ball down the inside left channel before slipping it into the feet of Alex Moreno who makes an overlapping run in behind Ben White.
Moreno then pulls the ball back into the middle of the box where Emiliano Buendia draws in two defenders before leaping over the ball and letting it run through to Philippe Coutinho.
He finishes it brilliantly and Villa are back in front. That’s a fantastic team goal from the home side.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:04
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
30 mins: Boubacar Kamara and Ben White both challenge for a 50/50 ball deep in Villa’s half with White coming out of the collision in worse shape.
Arsenal are awarded the throw in and win themselves a corner kick.
Bukayo Saka lifts this one into the middle and targets the deep run of Gabriel. Emi Martinez forces his way through a cluster of bodies though and plucks the ball out of the air.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:01
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
28 mins: Douglas Luiz has another opportunity to shoot from range when Aston Villa win a free kick about 30-yards out from goal. He drills his effort into the wall but the ball rebounds over to Alex Moreno.
The defender cuts onto his right foot and takes a shot of his own but it gets blocked and Bukayo Saka manages to run the ball clear.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 12:59
Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
25 mins: The Gunners win a free kick over on the left wing that Martin Odegaard curls into the box. There’s a bit of argy bargy in the middle but Villa deal with the cross without too much trouble.
Michael Jones18 February 2023 12:55
