Arsenal swats Villa aside with second-half clinic
All the goals came in the second half as Arsenal crushed Premier League title rival Aston Villa 4-1 to go five points clear at the top of the table.
Arsenal will go into 2026 with clear daylight at the summit after a statement victory at the Emirates Stadium, though Manchester City could cut its lead back to two points when it visits Sunderland on New Year's Day.
Villa showed enough in the first half to suggest it could achieve a club-record 12th straight win in all competitions, at the home of Unai Emery's former employer.
Ollie Watkins missed his side's best chance before half-time, sweeping wide after one of several incisive counter-attacks, though Viktor Gyokeres also went close with two headers at the other end.
Arsenal came out of the interval a team transformed, though, getting two quick goals within seven minutes of the restart.
The first came when Gabriel Magalhaes profited from some weak goalkeeping from former Gunner Emiliano Martinez to nod home in the 48th minute, while the second saw Martin Zubimendi finish with the outside of his boot after being found by Martin Odegaard.
More intense pressing from the front resulted in the third goal in the 69th minute, with Leandro Trossard's first-time finish surviving a VAR check for two possible offsides in the build-up.
Jesus got in on the act in the 78th minute, taking in Trossard's centre and curling home only 55 seconds after stepping off the bench before removing his shirt amid the jubilant celebrations.
Villa did at least get on the scoresheet as Watkins tapped home after Donyell Malen hit the post four minutes into stoppage time, after Watkins had headed against the same upright and John McGinn had produced a glaring miss.
