Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Player ratings as Gunners get revenge on Villa in style

Arsenal defeated Aston Villa 4-1 at Emirates Stadium as a dominant second-half display saw them move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Following the news that Declan Rice would be absent for the game, Mikel Arteta would have been relieved to have his injury list slashed by three as Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Kai Havertz all returned to the squad. The Dutchman took the right back spot while his fellow returners were named on the bench. Gabriel Magalhaes also made his return to the starting lineup.

It was an end to end start to the first-half with Viktor Gyökeres and Ollie Watkins missing chances to put their respective side ahead. As the game crept past the 20 minute mark, Villa became the dominant side as they kept the Gunners at bay while looking deadly on the counterattack.

Gyökeres did have a further two chances come his way however, driving a low effort straight at Lamare Bogarde before heading wide after meeting a well delivered Leandro Trossard cross, meaning the score was level at half-time.

Arsenal made the perfect start to the second-half as a perfectly delivered Bukayo Saka corner was met by Gabriel who, under pressure from Emiliano Martinez, knocked the ball into the net for the opener.

That brilliant return from the break continued as minutes later, the Gunners doubled their lead through Martín Zubimendi. Martin Ødegaard won back possession and found his namesake with a well-weighted through ball and the Spaniard calmly poked it past Martinez.

Ødegaard almost grabbed a third for his side when he rolled an unconventional strike toward goal, but a fingertip from Martinez stopped it from ending up in the net.

The Gunners thought they had finally extended their advantage when Trossard struck a first-time effort past the Villa 'keeper, but the flag went up for offside. However, after a lengthy VAR check on two parts of the build-up the decision was overturned, meaning the Belgian's goal stood.

With his side in a comfortable position, Arteta took the opportunity to make changes with Gabriel Jesus among those to be brought on. It didn't take long for the Brazilian to make an impact as just 55 seconds after coming on, he was found by Trossard on the edge and set himself before placing a fine strike in the bottom corner.

Villa looked for a consolation goal in the closing stages and went so close to finding one when John McGinn looked to pounce on a rebounded shot. He seemed destined to score as he stood practically on the goal line, but David Raya stood firm to make yet another outstanding save.

Arsenal couldn't hold out for much longer though as a persistent Donyell Malen ran through the defence to poke through the legs of Raya for Ollie Watkins to fire in from close range.

Arteta's side did see out the remainder of stoppage time to secure all three points and bring an end to 2025 in style as they avenged the 2-1 defeat they suffered at Villa Park less than a month ago. The dominant victory that ended their fellow title challengers' 11-game winning streak saw them move five points clear at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City's clash with Sunderland on New Year's Day.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7.5/10 - Not much was asked of him, but he did well when needing to claim or punch. Made a brilliant reaction save to deny McGinn from basically the goal line in stoppage time. Did concede late on though.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 8/10 - A solid return from injury as he put in yet another good all-round performance. Allowed next to nothing down his flank while also helping his team when needed in attack. Grabbed an assist when setting up Trossard for the third before being replaced late on.

William Saliba (CB) - 7.5/10 - Made a key touch to deny Watkins a clear shot at goal only for the flag to go up for offside.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7.5/10 - Netted the opener as he knocked the ball into the net while under pressure from Martinez. Forced off with injury after making a good block late on.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - 7/10 - Stood firm against Sancho and Bogarde on the left side of defence. Slipped in the box after making a good run to receive the ball from his captain, but was solid otherwise.

Midfielders

Martin Ødegaard (CM) - 8/10 - Won back possession and played a perfectly weighted through ball for Zubimendi to poke in their side's second. Fired over with an effort from the right side of the box near the hour mark.

Martín Zubimendi (CM) - 8.5/10 - Netted the second goal of the night after making a good run into the box to meet an Ødegaard pass and beat Martinez with a neat effort. Played a key part in his side's fourth, making a great run from the halfway line to progress the move.

Mikel Merino (CM) - 6/10 - Booked in the first-half for a foul on Onana. Taken off with just under 20 minutes remaining to end a relatively quiet performance.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 8/10 - Assisted the opening goal with a perfect corner delivery for Gabriel to meet and knock in. Continued to be a troublesome force all night down the right flank and went close to grabbing a goal late on. Subbed off minutes after.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 6.5/10 - Had two chances to put his side ahead with a header, putting one over the bar and the other wide of the post. Did contribute defensively, but will be disappointed not to have scored. Withdrawn for the final stages.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - 8/10 - Caused some problems on the left side, sending a few troubling crosses into the box. Added a third with a well-taken strike from the edge of the area, which was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check. Assisted Jesus for the fourth.

Substitutes

• Christian Nørgaard (on 73' for Merino) - 6/10
• Gabriel Jesus (on 77' for Gyökeres) - 8/10
• Myles Lewis-Skelly (on 77' for Gabriel) - 6/10
• Ben White (on 83' for Timber) - N/A
• Noni Madueke (on 83' for Saka) - N/A

Player of the match: Martín Zubimendi