PLAYER RATINGS: Arsenal star will be bitterly disappointed in himself after 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa… as Mikel Arteta’s attackers fail to end their chances

It was perhaps a pivotal weekend in the title race, with Mikel Arteta’s side failing to seize their opportunity to move two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table , after their 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa.

Leon Bailey fired a low effort into the bottom left corner of the goal in the 83rd minute of the match after Arsenal failed to deal with Lucas Digne’s hard-hitting cross which crossed the face of goal.

Ollie Watkins would return three minutes later to score a sensational breakaway goal, sending the ball over David Raya to seal the victory. Aston Villa could have sealed the victory earlier in the second half after Youri Tielemans smashed a long-range effort against the crossbar.

Villa then tightened their grip on a Champions League place next season and moved three points clear of Tottenham in fourth place after Spurs were beaten 4-0 by Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

Mail Sports Isaan Khan delivers his player ratings as Arsenal drop points in title race.

Ollie Watkins followed up two minutes later with an excellent breakaway goal to seal the victory

Arsenal lead the league after Liverpool’s loss to Crystal Palace

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

DAVID RAYA – 6

Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans both hit the target on two occasions. His defense didn’t help here.

BEN WHITE – 6.5

Excellent defense to hold off Watkins on a counter-attack after 21 minutes.

WILLIAM SALIBA-5.5

Left Leon Bailey free at back post and the midfielder scored. The positioning was questionable for the second goal. Will be bitterly disappointed.

GABRIEL – 6

Made the mistake that allowed Watkins to hit a post.

OLEKSANDRE ZINCHENKO – 5.5

Good link-up play, but his lax attempt to dribble out of danger allowed Tielemans to score inches from goal.

David Raya looked sharp early in the match but wasn’t helped by his defense late in the match

Gabriel was shown a yellow card in the first half by referee David Coote for a foul on Morgan Rogers.

Oleksandr Zinchenko allowed Youri Tielemans to take a dangerous shot in the second half

MARTIN ODEGAARD ​​– 8.5

He pulled the strings in midfield. I also got stuck in the tackle. Arsenal’s best player.

DECLAN RICE – 6

Important off the ball with his running and positioning, and effective in pressing. But we should have done more with the ball when attacking the third.

KAI HAVERTZ – 6

A good move, darting smartly through the backline from deep, but it lacked that finish. This sometimes hampered Arsenal.

Martin Odegaard throws his fists in the air in frustration after his team’s defeat

Declan Rice battles with Rogers, the two clashing in midfield all game

BUKAYO SAKA-6.5

Lively and caused plenty of problems in the first half but fell off in the second half.

GABRIEL JESUS ​​- 6

I had a good chance with a header first which went wide and a chance was saved after 62 minutes.

LÉANDRO TROSSARD – 6

Isolated on the left wing, he was therefore unable to bring his usually good finishing into play.

Substitutes

GABRIEL MARTINELLI-6

I didn’t have many chances with the ball.

TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 6.5

Made tackles when necessary.

Director

MIKEL ARTETA-5.5

His team lost on the same day as Liverpool. A big blow in the title race.

Bukayo Saka failed to make a huge impact on the match but had a few chances

Gabriel Jesus had a few chances and tested Emi Martinez with a long-range shot

Mikel Arteta cut an anguished figure on the touchline after his side failed to secure victory

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2)

EMI MARTINEZ-7.5

Made some crucial saves today and was tested at points by Saka and Jesus. Exceptional save to deny Trossard in the first 45 minutes.

Ezri Konsa – 7

Resisted the pace that Trossard has on the left flank well. Got forward at times and was another attacking outlet for Villa.

DIEGO CARLOS – 7

Solid at the back. Was imperious under the high ball and proves he can be one of the best when it comes to defending set pieces on the day.

Martinez was tested several times during the match and held his own for Aston Villa

Ezri Konsa had an excellent game and kept the Arsenal attackers quiet on the right wing.

PAU TORRES – 6.5

A crafty defender who gave Arsenal little respite in the Villa box.

LUCAS DIGNE – 7

Provided the cross that allowed Bailey to score the opener. Has a wand of the left foot and was brilliant up and down the left flank today.

MORGAN ROGERS-6.5

Had a tough battle against Rice in the center of the park today, but showed his quality with and without the ball.

Rogers had a tough battle against Rice but was superb on offense and defense

John McGinn played a slightly larger role than usual, but showed his increasingly impressive leadership skills.

JOHN McGINN-7

He played a little deeper today than usual, but he was in midfield as usual. McGinn’s leadership showed again late today, forcing his team to continue to advance on Arsenal.

YOURI TIELEMANS – 8

Perhaps he should have put the visitors 1-0 ahead after his second-half shot rattled the crossbar.

NICOLO ZANIOLO – 7.5

Perhaps one of his best matches this season. Dominated Ben White with his pace on the left wing.

MOUSSA DIABY – 6.5

I didn’t get on the scoresheet and struggled to make an impact on the match. Hooked after 60 minutes.

OLLIE WATKINS-8.5

Sensational goal. Sensational finale. He just can’t stop scoring. After he and Dominic Solanke scored this weekend, Gareth Southgate has some serious thinking to do.

Zaniolo had one of his best games to date in a Villa shirt and dominated on the left wing.

Watkins’ finish for Villa’s second was stunning. He was a threat throughout the match and deserved to score

Unai Emery’s side exploited Arsenal superbly on the wings. He will be supported by this victory

SUBSTITUTES

ALEX MORENO-6

He came on after 80 minutes and helped turn things around in Villa’s favor.

LEON BAILEY – 7

The man who changed the game for the visitors. It was an excellent goal that put them in front and their ninth in the Premier League this season.

DIRECTOR

UNAI ÉMERY – 7

There is no doubt that Emery will be delighted with this result. His team ran Arsenal ragged in the final ten minutes of the match and threatened on both wings. Bringing on Bailey and Moreno in the second half was a masterstroke.