Aston Villa’s incredible rise towards the top of the Premier League table has been slammed shut as Arsenal recorded a dominant 4-1 win at home.
After 11-straight victories in all competitions, Villa went into the clash with the league leaders on Wednesday morning (AEDT) full of confidence.
But in the space of just 30 minutes in the second half, Unai Emery’s men were dealt a brutal reality check by the Gunners.
READ MORE: Iconic Aussie legend ‘in fight of his life’ in hospital
READ MORE: Million-dollar stars among 154 in limbo heading into 2026
READ MORE: NFL superstar charged with serious assault on his chef
Martin Zubimendi celebrates Arsenal’s second goal Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Garbial Magalhaes was the first to strike just minutes after the break, heading home from a corner to give the hosts the lead at Emirates Stadium.
With the game still in the balance, Villa looked to work their way out of trouble but a blunder inside their own half gifted Arsenal a second goal through Martin Zubimendi.
Leandro Trossard made it a three-goal lead for Arsenal when his goal was awarded following an extensive VAR check.
Gabriel Jesus put the icing on the cake in the 78th minute with a brilliant curling right-foot shot from the edge of the box that beat Villa keeper Emiliano MartÃnez.
Football’s new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, European World Cup qualifiers, J.League, NSWL and K League
Gabriel Jesus celebrates a goal against Aston Villa Arsenal FC via Getty Images
As he ran towards the corner flag in celebration, the Arsenal star lifted his shirt to reveal a white T-shirt that read “I belong to Jesus” and pointed to the sky.
Ollie Watkins scored a late consolation goal for Villa in stoppage time.
Elsewhere, the struggling Wolves managed to walk away from Old Trafford with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United, who struck first through striker Joshua Zirkzee but gave up a goal on half-time through Zadislav Krejki.
In the earlier slate of games on Wednesday, Chelsea dropped more points and fell further behind the Premier League lead with a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Chelsea are now stuck in fifth spot and remain two points behind Liverpool and 15 points behind the top-of-the-table Gunners at the midway point of the season.
Chelsea players at full time Getty
Everton produced a clinical 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, while relegation battlers West Ham gave up the lead twice in a 2-2 draw with Brighton Hove-Albion.
Newcastle won 3-1 away against Burnley after scoring two goals in the opening seven minutes as Joelinton and Yoanne Wissa got the trip off to a flying start.
Manchester City will play on Thursday (AEDT) as they look to keep in touch with Arsenal at the top of England’s top-flight.