Match Report & Player Ratings AVL/ARS

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Just as it seemed Arsenal had turned a corner after their impressive results against two of the best teams in Europe, they suffer another setback against relegation candidates Aston Villa. The nature of the performance summed up the Gunners season and has ended any chance of Europa League qualification through the League.

The visitors tried to take control of the game from the first whistle as they dominated possession with Villa happy to sit back and let Arteta’s side play with it in front of them, however both sides were struggling to create any clear cut chances as the game cried out for one of the creative midfielders to make something happen. Then in the 27th minute, Connor Hourihane’s whipped corner found Trezeguet at the back post, who arrowed the ball home into the bottom corner to give the Villans the lead. The home side had their tails up as shortly after Jack Grealish found himself on the left with acres of space to get a shot off, his effort was struck well and perhaps had Martinez worried for a second, however it ended up just over the bar. Dean Smith’s side took a well deserved 1-0 lead into halftime.

The away side came out for the second half much in the same vein as they desperately needed someone to step up and create chances for danger men Aubameyang and Lacazette, which was nearly the case when Nketiah’s poor through ball found its way into Aubameyang with his back to goal meaning the 31-year had to turn before firing his effort into Konsa, who did well to block it. As Arsenal threw more men forward into each attack it was leaving them very exposed to counter attacks, one of which was led by the ever energetic Jack Grealish who skipped past Nketiah and played an inch perfect pass to substitute Davis who found himself through on goal, however he dragged his effort past the post. The Gunners continued to press for the equaliser and came extremely close when Pepe’s brillant corner was met by Nketiah only for the Englishman to hit the base of the post, allowing Reina to smother the ball and secure the three points for Aston Villa.

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