Aston Villas remarkable 11-game winning streak in all competitions was brought to a halt in emphatic fashion as Premier League leaders Arsenal swept to a commanding 4-1 victory, extending their lead at the top of the table to five points with Manchester City still to play on New Years Day, Softfootball reports.
Arsenal came into the contest boosted by a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton , and they carried that momentum into the opening exchanges. With Gabriel restored to the starting XI, the Gunners looked assured early on, and nearly struck first when Piero Hincapi floated a teasing cross toward Viktor Gykeres, though the strikers header drifted over as he continued his wait for a first open-play goal since early November.
Villa, fresh from an impressive 2-1 victory over Chelsea that extended their winning run to 11 matches , were not without threat. Amadou Onana went close to winning a penalty after going down under William Salibas challenge, but referee Darren England waved play on. Ollie Watkins then squandered a promising opening after being teed up by Ezri Konsa, firing wide when well placed.
