EPL: Arsenal thump Aston Villa 4-1 to finish year five points clear

Arsenal produced a ruthless second-half display to dismantle Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium, closing out the year firmly in control of the Premier League title race with a five-point cushion at the summit.

The contest was delicately poised at the interval, but Mikel Arteta’s side shifted through the gears after the break, exposing Villa’s resistance and underlining their growing authority as genuine frontrunners.

Second-half surge breaks Villa resistance

The breakthrough arrived three minutes after the restart when Gabriel Magalhaes, making his first start since returning from injury, forced the ball home from close range following another well-worked Arsenal corner. Despite Villa protests over a potential foul on Emiliano Martinez, the goal stood.

Arsenal quickly seized control. Martin Odegaard’s aggressive press in midfield led to the second goal as he teed up Martin Zubimendi, who calmly poked past Martinez to double the advantage and tilt the game decisively in the hosts’ favour.

Goals flow as Arsenal take control

Leandro Trossard made it 3-0 with a precise low finish from the edge of the area, after a lengthy VAR check confirmed he was onside.

Substitute Gabriel Jesus then added further gloss with a curling strike late on, before Ollie Watkins bundled in a stoppage-time consolation for Villa.

Unai Emery’s side, who arrived on an 11-game winning run and had beaten Arsenal earlier in the month, showed early intent but ultimately lacked the cutting edge to trouble a composed and clinical home side.

The victory caps an outstanding year for Arsenal, who have lost just twice in the league and now sit five points clear ahead of second-placed Manchester City who although, have a game in hand.