Arsenal delivered a commanding second-half performance to dismantle Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, tightening their grip on the English Premier League (EPL) title race.

In a fixture billed as a potential title decider, the Gunners rose to the occasion with a ruthless display after the break, scoring four unanswered goals to overwhelm Unai Emery’s previously in-form Villa side.

The breakthrough came just three minutes into the second half when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez failed to deal with a corner kick. The loose ball struck defender Gabriel Magalhaes and rolled into the net to give Arsenal the lead.

Four minutes later, Martin Zubimendi doubled the advantage, calmly slotting home after being released by Martin Odegaard’s incisive through pass.

Arsenal continued to press relentlessly and were rewarded again when Leandro Trossard fired a powerful shot from the edge of the area to make it 3-0.

Gabriel Jesus, returning from injury, completed the rout with a fine curling finish from a Trossard cutback. The strike was the Brazilian’s second goal of 2025, his first having come on New Year’s Day in January.

Aston Villa managed a late consolation through Ollie Watkins, but the damage had long been done as Emery’s side suffered their first defeat in 12 matches, ending an eight-game winning run in the league.

The result leaves Villa six points off the pace in third position, while Arsenal extended their lead at the top to five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

Elsewhere, Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth in a match that saw all four goals scored before halftime. At Old Trafford, Manchester United failed to capitalise on home advantage as relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers snapped an 11-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw.

Results

Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa

Burnley 1-3 Newcastle United

Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest 0-2 Everton

West Ham United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Manchester United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers