Arsenal Thrash Aston Villa 4-1 to Extend Premier League Lead

Arsenal delivered a commanding second-half performance to defeat Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium on December 30, 2025, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points over Manchester City.

The first half was tense and goalless, with Villa creating the better chances, including two notable misses by Ollie Watkins. Arsenal, missing the injured Declan Rice, struggled initially but exploded after the break.

Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring in the 48th minute with a powerful header from a corner. Just four minutes later, summer signing Martín Zubimendi doubled the advantage, finishing clinically after a precise pass from captain Martin Ødegaard.

Leandro Trossard made it 3-0 in the 69th minute with a fierce long-range strike, before substitute Gabriel Jesus added a fourth in the 78th minute—his first goal in nearly a year following a lengthy injury layoff.

Watkins grabbed a late consolation for Villa in stoppage time, but the damage was done. The result ended Villa's impressive 11-match winning streak across all competitions, leaving them third and six points behind Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side, now on an eight-game unbeaten run, head into 2026 as clear favourites, having avenged their earlier defeat to Villa this season.