Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa secured a deserved Premier League victory against title challengers Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Both sides came close to opening the scoring in a goalless first half, with Ollie Watkins striking a shot against the post and Emi Martínez making a world-class save from Leandro Trossard.

But it was the away side who stepped up in the second half, taking the lead with six minutes remaining when substitute Leon Bailey tapped home Lucas Digne’s cross.

A second goal followed three minutes later via Watkins, who latched onto Youri Tielemans' through ball and chipped David Raya, equalling Christian Benteke’s club record for goals in a top flight season (19) in the process.

The win also set a new club record for Premier League wins in a 38-game season with 19, keeping the team fourth in the table.

Villa were without the suspended Douglas Luiz in north London, with Unai Emery selecting an attacking line-up that included Moussa Diaby and Nicolò Zaniolo.

And the visitors signalled their intent from kick-off when they pushed forward and saw Watkins plant a header onto the roof of the net.

Arsenal, who’d won ten of their previous 11 league games, fired a warning shot of their own after 11 minutes via Kai Havertz, whose effort was parried clear by Martínez.

But as the match reached the 35-minute mark, Villa were holding their own and had only been troubled by efforts into the side-netting from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.

An expectant home crowd were almost silenced when Watkins won the ball back high up the pitch and drove forward before sending a low shot against the post.

The close call sparked the Gunners into life and they raced up the other end of the pitch, with only a terrific save from the feet of Martínez denying Trossard the opening goal from six yards out.

Villa reasserted themselves at the start of the second half, continuing to be organised without the ball and composed when in possession.

And the team in blue came within inches of taking the lead on 62 minutes when Tielemans won the ball on the edge of Arsenal’s box and unleashed a curling shot that struck the crossbar and post before rebounding to safety.

The away side, who introduced Bailey for Diaby, continued to look the more likely to find a breakthrough, penning the hosts in their own half for long spells.

And with six minutes left they finally penetrated the home side’s defences when Bailey tapped home from Digne’s low cross, which evaded everyone and found the Jamaican at the back post.

Villa were in dreamland three minutes later when they scored their second, with Watkins keeping his cool and chipping Raya after collecting Tielemans’ through ball.

Arsenal were unable to muster a response in the time that remained as the away side comfortably saw the game out before heading over to the away support to celebrate a memorable win.