Arsenal blew the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table as Aston Villa bolstered their Champions League hopes by claiming a stunning 2-0 win at the Emirates – a result that leaves the title race in the hands of the defending champions Manchester City with six games to go.
On a dramatic day in the Premier League that also saw Liverpool slip up at home to Crystal Palace, with Jurgen Klopp’s side beaten 1-0 at Anfield, Mikel Arteta’s challengers could not take advantage as they too fell to a damaging defeat in the title race.
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The Gunners were seven wins from their first title in 20 years, but City are now two points clear at the top after Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck second-half goals and Unai Emery returned to the Emirates to earn a league double against his former team.
Arsenal started well and had the majority of the early chances but it was the visitors who almost took the lead as Ollie Watkins struck both posts following an effort from Gabriel – although Emery’s side then needed goalkeeper Emi Martinez to make a stunning save from point-blank range to deny Leandro Trossard 37 seconds later.
Villa took charge after half time, and struck the frame of the goal again when Youri Tielmans hit both the bar and the post with a bending shot that almost found the top corner. Bailey came off the bench to arrive at the back post and steer Villa in front, before Watkins doubled Villa’s lead with a chipped finish just two minutes later.
