Premier League: Arsenal Drop Off Summit Position After Losing To Aston Villa

 

Arsenal have just suffered a setback to their summit position in the EPL table after losing 1-0 in an electrifying match to Aston Villa at Villa Park. 

Villa lived up to their stunning performance from the defeat of Manchester City by the same margin on Wednesday. Arsenal are now the second top-flight side falling to the team in just a week. 

It happened early into the game as Villa moved in quickly on a counter into Arsenal's box and Leon Bailey's cross found John McGinn, who turned on a defender before slicing a shot to beat David Raya to the goal in the seventh minutes. 

Villa remained unbeaten in their 15 previous home league game, with the victory against Arsenal making Unai Emery's men are the only side in this season to beat the two top teams from the previous season. 

Quick Overview 

Arsenal had a busy match on their hands and Villa's early lead from the brilliant finish from McGinn's strike set it all off. With table leadership at stake, Arsenal did come out to get something off the first period but Gabriel Martinez made great saves to keep the side in the game. 

Amongst moments that Arsenal should have seized to level up was the touchline clearance of Martinelli's lob over Martinez. Through and through the second half was hectic for Arsenal and Martinez's dramatic fall for a foul offence in injury saw Kai Havertz's goal ruled out. Havertz only had a ball to hands from another defender's hand deflection on the ball while Martinelli was blocked out by the same defender. 

Great football anyhow from both sides and Arsenal have now  dropped to second place behind Liverpool on 36 points as the Premier League title race gets heated up.