Aston Villa topples Arsenal and extends record home win streak

Football
By Associated Press | Dec 09, 2023
John McGinn celebrates after scoring the winner for Aston Villa against Arsenal.[Aston Villa]

Aston Villa beat Arsenal 1-0 and moved within two points of new English Premier League leader Liverpool on Saturday.

Villa made John McGinn’s seventh-minute goal stand up in the latest standout victory for Unai Emery’s high-flying team, which upset defending champion Manchester City by the same scoreline on Wednesday.

Arsenal led the league at the start of the day but could not find a way through a Villa team that is proving to be a match for anyone on home turf. Villa has a club-record 15 straight home wins in the league.

Villa is third on the table, a point behind second-placed Arsenal.

The only other league managers to record 15-game winning streaks at home were Manchester United great Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.

Villa went ahead after Leon Bailey broke down the right and played in McGinn, who turned and beat Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez denied Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus from equalizing before the break.

Arsenal almost levelled in the second half when Martinez looked to claim a corner, but palmed the ball into the back of Ollie Watkins and it hit the post.

Bukayo Saka had a goal ruled out for offside and Kai Havertz thought he salvaged a point in the last minute, but was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Share this story
Cheetahs put one foot in Super Series final
The final round heads to Kakamega this weekend.
Karanga excited after podium finish at Jordan Open
The rich field of elite golfers included players from hosts Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Egypt, the USA, and Serbia.
Domongole, Chebet power to glory in Betika Iten 15K Road Race
The winners in each category were awarded Sh250,000 for their efforts.
FKF-PL: AFC Leopards claw relegation threatened FC Talanta
Talanta are two points above the relegation zone.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS