GOAL! The hosts are ahead and it does come from the corner!
It’ll need to be checked as there are various protestations and flailing limbs, but Arsenal have the lead for now.
The corner comes in and Martinez tries to collect it but he’s under pressure from Gabriel, with the Brazilian backing into the Argentine ‘keeper, and Martinez can’t catch it, knocking the ball into Gabriel and into the back of the net!
(REUTERS)
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:24
Timber wins Arsenal their first corner of the match, with the Gunners hoping to continue their recent spate of set-piece goals.
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:22
KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
Back underway at the Emirates! What can both sides muster up in the next 45 minutes?
A change for Villa at half-time as Onana makes way for John McGinn.
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:20
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
So, what can Arsenal produce as they look for a vital home win in the second half?
The onus is really on the Gunners here, with City potentially going top on New Year’s Day depending on tonight result.
However, it’s been Villa who look more like scoring so far. Despite all their possession, Arsenal are failing to create anything clear-cut in attack.
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:17
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
(REUTERS)
(Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:13
By the interval, most of the home contingent in front of the press box had completely lost their rag. It was mainly directed at referee Darren England but also, you suspect, an it was a deep frustration at that first-half showing in which Villa more than held their own.
In fact, with Ollie Watkins’ terrific chance, you’d argue the visitors shaded it…
Kieran Jackson at the Emirates30 December 2025 21:09
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
The referee blows the final whistle and it’s been a strange half at the Emirates in truth.
Arsenal have dominated possession and have been better with the ball but they remain open on the counter, with Villa nearly scoring the smash ‘n’ grab goal they desired on a couple of occasions.
The visitors have had the better of the chances and once again the Gunners have failed to click into gear in attack.
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:05
A couple of yellow cards to end the half as Rogers and Merino go into the boo kfor separate incidents.
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:04
CLOSE! This is superb defending from Saliba.
Villa get in behind and Sancho drives towards the area, eventually slipping a pass into the corridor between Raya and his defenders.
It looks like Watkins will tap into a near-open net but Saliba slides it to divert it away behind the goal!
The flag has gone up for offside but that was very close.
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:02
A bit of a lull in activity as the half approaches an end. Villa have been looking to make it stop-start for the last half an hour and they’re continuing to do just that!
Chris Wilson30 December 2025 21:00