Aston Villa vs Arsenal final score: Gunners tighten grip on fourth

In the spring sunshine at Villa Park, Arsenal rode a strong first half display to beat Aston Villa and boost their top four hopes.

This was one of the most comfortable 1-0 wins you will ever see.

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Bukayo Saka’s first half goal was enough for Mikel Arteta’s side to secure a 10th Premier League win from their last 13 games, as Villa were second-best throughout.

Mikel Arteta’s side dug in and made sure they bounced back from their midweek defeat to Liverpool.

The win sees Arsenal cement fourth place as they have 54 points, as they have a game in-hand over Manchester United and West Ham in the top four battle and sit six points above north London rivals Tottenham.

WATCH FULL MATCH REPLAY

Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal

Goals scored: Saka 30′

Shots: Aston Villa 8, Arsenal 10 

Shots on target: Aston Villa 1, Arsenal 3

Possession: Aston Villa 46, Arsenal 54

1. Young phenoms dazzle down the right: Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard linked up brilliantly in the first half to set the tone for this win. They almost got in a few times before Saka scored the all-important goal and the young duo are coming of age to lead this top four push. Arsenal are solid defensively and have Partey and Xhaka holding things down in midfield but it is Saka and Odegaard (plus Smith Rowe) who hold the X-factor. When Odegaard and Saka play well, Arsenal usually win.

2. Villa play scared: Steven Gerrard’s decision to start with Buendia as an extra man in midfield as he sacrificed Danny Ings up top seemed to set the tone for this subdued display. This was a very anti-Gerrard performance from Villa. They didn’t play with any gusto, should have been 3-0 down at half time and they were too scared to keep the ball or try to