Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-1 to end year top of Premier League

Arsenal ended the year top of the Premier League after a 4-1 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates. Goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Martín Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus sealed victory, keeping Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City

London: Arsenal ensured it will end the year top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 4-1 at home in a strong statement win, with all goals coming in the second half.

The fourth goal, scored by substitute Gabriel Jesus just one minute after coming on, showed the depth of Arsenal’s bench this season. Coach Mikel Arteta jubilantly high-fived his assistants at the final whistle.

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Victory moved Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City, which plays Sunderland on New Year’s Day, and six points clear of third-place Villa.

“It is a beautiful evening. That was a very tough match, as we knew it would be, because they are a top opponent,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “The way we started the second half was amazing, we really turned things up and were efficient in everything we did.”

Arsenal has not won the Premier League since 2004 and the pressure is on Arteta to deliver. “In 2026, we know what we want,” Arteta said.

Villa manager Unai Emery defended his decision not to shake Arteta’s hand at the end of the game, saying it was “cold” at the Emirates. “Always my routine is go to the opposition coach, shake hands and go inside,” the former Arsenal manager told Sky Sports. “If he is not doing the same, I can’t wait … it was cold.”

Elsewhere, Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth; Newcastle won 3-1 at Burnley; and Manchester United was held 1-1 at home to Wolverhampton. West Ham drew 2-2 with Brighton, and Everton won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

Sharing the goals
No Arsenal player is near the top of the scorers’ chart this season, yet sharing the goals around might be the team’s strength.

Defender Gabriel Magalhães headed home early in the second half from a corner, and midfielder Martín Zubimendi scored in the 52nd minute. Winger Leandro Trossard curled in a fine third from the edge of the box in the 69th and was involved in the fourth goal, curled into the same corner in the 78th minute by Jesus after a superb counterattack.

The win was even more impressive as Arsenal missed key midfielder Declan Rice with a knee injury, while Villa came in with 11 straight wins in all competitions. Gabriel’s goal stood after officials ruled he had not impeded Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. Zubimendi finished confidently after captain Martin Ødegaard won the ball in midfield and threaded a perfect pass behind Villa’s defence. Ollie Watkins scored a late consolation for Villa.

Poor defending costs Chelsea
Bournemouth’s David Brooks scored early after Chelsea failed to deal with a throw-in. Cole Palmer equalised in the 15th with a penalty after VAR ruled Antoine Semenyo fouled Estevão.

Enzo Fernández gave Chelsea the lead midway through the first half, but Justin Kluivert equalised for Bournemouth after a defensive error. Chelsea is fifth, level on 30 points with United in sixth.

United held by Wolves
Manchester United led through Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected strike in the 27th but Ladislav Krejcí equalised before halftime with a header.

It was Wolves manager Rob Edwards’ first point since taking charge in November. Patrick Dorgu’s injury-time goal for United was ruled out for offside by VAR.

United fans booed at the final whistle, while Wolves supporters chanted, “We’ve won a point.”

Wissa scores for Newcastle
Yoane Wissa scored his first league goal since joining from Brentford as Newcastle moved into 10th. Joelinton and Wissa struck inside seven minutes before Josh Laurent pulled one back for Burnley. Bruno Guimarães sealed the win with a lob in stoppage time. Burnley stays 19th, two points behind West Ham.

Garner and Paquetá shine
James Garner scored in the 19th minute for Everton, then set up Thierno Barry for the second in the 79th against Forest.

West Ham took an early lead against Brighton through Jarrod Bowen after Lucas Paquetá’s through ball. Danny Welbeck equalised from the spot and later hit the bar with a chipped penalty. Paquetá converted his penalty in injury time, but Joël Veltman equalised for Brighton in the 61st.

Defending champion Liverpool hosts Leeds on Thursday.