The match between Arsenal and Aston Villa was the big top game at the end of 2025 in the Premier League. But the Villans were unable to build on a strong first half and were then overwhelmed by the league leaders.
At the end of the year, the Premier League once again hosted a top match between league leaders Arsenal and the team of the moment, Aston Villa, who had won eleven games in a row across all competitions and were only three points behind Arsenal in third place.
Nevertheless, coach Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were the favorites. The Spaniard made two changes after the recent 2-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion, bringing in Gabriel and Timber for Rice (not in the squad) and Lewis-Skelly (bench). In addition, Havertz took his place on the bench again after a long period of suffering, having undergone knee surgery after the first matchday and been sidelined ever since. Villa coach Unai Emery saw a need for action after the 2-1 win at Chelsea FC during the busy English weeks and made five changes.
On the one hand, he had to do without Cash and Kamara, who were suspended after receiving yellow cards, and on the other hand, Maatsen, McGinn, and Malen were on the bench for the time being. Bogarde, Digne, Onana, Sancho, and Watkins started in their place.
Balanced duel in the top match
The picture was as expected at the start. While the Gunners tried to overload the left side with overwhelming possession, the Villans initially remained deep and were rather passive. Gyökeres had the first good chance, heading the ball onto the roof of the net after a Hincapie cross (7′). But the visitors weathered the initial storm and subsequently became dangerous through good ball wins and strong counterattacks, as demonstrated by Watkins in the 13th and 18th minutes. The game ebbed and flowed. A period of pressure from the hosts was usually followed by a period of pressure from the other side. It was only after almost 25 minutes that Arsenal regained control and took the lead again through Gyökeres, who narrowly missed with a header after another cross from the impressive Trossard (36′). At the end of the first half, Saliba had to clear a pass from Sancho in front of Watkins in desperation after another quick counterattack from the visitors (45′).
Arsenal overwhelm Aston Villa in the second half
However, the second half began with the home side breaking the deadlock. After the Gunners’ first corner, Gabriel beat Villa keeper Martinez, and the ball bounced off the defender’s thigh and over the line to give the Gunners the lead. Arsenal came out of the dressing room much more present, while Villa was completely overwhelmed. Just a few minutes later, the home side struck again and defeated Emery’s team with their own weapons: after an early ball win, Ödegaard played a perfect pass to Zubimendi, who kept his cool in front of Martinez and made it 2-0 (52′).
Arsenal then wanted to seal the deal, dominating their opponents in every aspect of the game, with the blossoming Ödegaard (63′, 66′) and Timber (61′) coming close to sealing the victory on several occasions. The goal finally came shortly afterwards when Trossard fired the ball low and uncompromisingly into the bottom corner from just under 18 meters (69′).
Gabriel Jesus also scores
However, there was no time for the visitors to catch their breath, even though goalscorer Gabriel had to make another desperate save against a shot from Watkins shortly afterwards (75′). Birmingham couldn’t find their rhythm again, and instead conceded a fourth goal. Gabriel Jesus, who had come on as a substitute shortly before, scored his first goal of the season with a curling shot after a counterattack (78′). Nevertheless, it remained entertaining until the end, partly because Saka fired the ball over the bar for the Gunners (80′) and Malen, despite the clear deficit, only hit the post at the other end (90’+2).
However, it was Emery’s team that had the last word, with Watkins somehow stumbling the ball into the goal (90+4) after Malen had hit the post again. Nevertheless, the Villans’ eleven-game winning streak came to an end with a clear 1-4 defeat at league leaders Arsenal, who will remain at the top of the table at the end of the year.
The new year gets underway for both teams on Saturday. Arsenal are away to AFC Bournemouth at 6:30 p.m., while Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest shortly before that (1:30 p.m.).