Arsenal weather Villa storm to secure crucial late win

Two games are no barometer of a team’s title chances but the early psychological signs are on point for Arsenal as they ended their Aston Villa hoodoo with a result the Gunners of a few years ago could not have hoped to claim.

- PETE HALL

Aston Villa 0

Arsenal 2
Trossard (67), Partey (77)

Under a manager desperate to get one over the only club he hasn’t excelled at, Villa had the chances to make it three consecutive victories over the Gunners, to once again do damage to a title challenge when one defeat can be the difference between a first league title in 20 years and further frustration.

Yet, having weathered an almighty Villainous storm, goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey left limbs flailing everywhere in the away end at Villa Park yesterday, signalling an ultimate statement of intent, while putting a recent, damaging run of bad luck to rest.

Villa effectively cost Arsenal the title last season. This incarnation of Manchester City do not allow much margin for error, with the April home loss to Villa at the Emirates the difference between a first league title in two decades and another year of hurt.