By TOM COLLOMOSSE, FOOTBALL REPORTER
Published: 17:38 EST, 30 December 2025 | Updated: 17:38 EST, 30 December 2025
Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday to climb five points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City's clash with Sunderland on New Year's Day.
The Gunners scored the first four of five second-half goals in north London against Unai Emery's side, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all finding the net before Ollie Watkins' consolation strike in stoppage time.
Daily Mail Sport's TOM COLLOMOSSE was on hand to rate the players' performances on Tuesday evening, with Mikel Arteta's side set to head into 2026 with a five-point cushion over their title rivals.
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
DAVID RAYA 7
Despite Villa’s impressive counter-attacking in the opening half, Raya was never seriously tested and had a quiet evening – until the remarkable stoppage time save from McGinn.
JURRIEN TIMBER 7
Buendia is not the sort of winger to test a full-back’s speed and Timber kept him at arm’s length.
Arsenal will head into 2026 five points clear at the top of the league after beating Aston Villa
Martin Zubimendi (right) was on the scoresheet as Mikel Arteta's side won 4-1 at the Emirates
WILLIAM SALIBA 8
Kept honest by Watkins early on but overpowered him in the end and produced a great interception to cut out a cross from Sancho – even though the Villa man was offside.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES 7.5
Caught flat-footed by Tielemans’ super pass for Rogers but along with Saliba, he ensured Raya was rarely troubled. Was on the end of the customary Arsenal set piece to head the opener.
PIERO HINCAPIE 7
Asked to contribute to the Gunners’ attacks from left-backs, he produced a fine cross that Gyokeres headed over and was often dangerous.
MARTIN ODEGAARD 7.5
Relatively quiet start from the skipper as Villa tried to shut down the link between the Norwegian and Saka. His class shone through for the second goal, though, as he robbed Sancho before setting up Zubimendi.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI 6.5
Required to drop into the back three to build when Villa dropped off, his passes were too safe, too often. But when he did move forward, he scored the crucial second goal.
MIKEL MERINO 5
On the left of the midfield three, struggled to find a foothold in the game and was lucky not to pick up a second booking for hauling down Rogers.
Martin Odegaard's class shone through for the second goal with a masterful assist
BUKAYO SAKA 6
Emery had worked hard to cut the supply line to the England winger and when he did take the ball, he had Digne and Buendia for company.
VIKTOR GYOKERES 5
Arsenal’s big summer signing missed two good headed chances in the first half and was lucky when he was caught napping by Konsa but Watkins missed the chance.
LEANDRO TROSSARD 7
Like Saka on the opposite flank, he was often faced by two Villa players. One cross for Gyokeres should have forced a save from Martinez. Great strike for the third goal.
SUBSTITUTES
CHRISTIAN NORGAARD 6 (for Merino, 73)
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY 6 (for Gabriel, 77)
GABRIEL JESUS 7 (for Gyokeres, 77)
Instant impact – brilliant strike for the fourth goal after so many troubles with injury.
MANAGER MIKEL ARTETA 8
Whatever he said at half-time worked as his team were transformed after the break. Statement result for the Gunners in the absence of key midfielder Declan Rice.
Leandro Trossard produced a great strike for Arsenal's third goal, putting the game to bed
ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1)
EMILIANO MARTINEZ 5
Initially looked in his element back at his former club, winding up the home fans by taking an age over restarts. One superb ball found Sancho – but what a poor mistake for the opener that set the tone for the match.
LAMARE BOGARDE 6
No easy task to replace the suspended Matty Cash, in a position that is not his favourite. With Sancho’s help, he did an adequate job before switching back to midfield.
EZRI KONSA 6.5
Strong first half, showing his usual anticipation skills and nearly setting up the opener for Watkins with a superb interception and charge forward.
VICTOR LINDELOF 5.5
Caught under the ball for Gyokeres’ early chance and though he was not as secure as Konsa, he did not let anyone down in the first half – but looked ragged after the break.
LUCAS DIGNE 6
Preferred to Ian Maatsen for this one, the Frenchman did a decent job against Saka though he lacks Maatsen’s attacking panache.
Aston Villa defender Victor Lindelof was solid in the first half but looked ragged after the break
JADON SANCHO 5
Handed a rare start, the on-loan Manchester United winger had an important tactical job helping out Bogarde but after a solid first 45, he was caught napping for the second goal.
AMADOU ONANA 7
When Villa had space it suited him to a tee and two thrilling bursts through the middle of the pitch might have yielded more for his team. Forced off with injury at half-time
YOURI TIELEMANS 7
With Boubacar Kamara suspended, Tielemans took on some of his defensive work while continuing to create, as the stunning long pass for Rogers in the first half showed. One of the last to succumb.
EMI BUENDIA 5.5
Used on the left as Rogers slotted in closer to Watkins, Buendia worked hard to help out Digne though he did not carry much threat the other way.
MORGAN ROGERS 6
Over-powered Arsenal down the left three weeks ago but was given a central role here, where Arsenal handled him far better than they did at Villa Park.
OLLIE WATKINS 6
His movement and hold-up play were more like the Watkins of old – though he missed one early chance that he would have buried when in top form. Hit the post before scoring in stoppage time.
Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who scored in stoppage time, missed a crucial opportunity early on
SUBSTITUTES
JOHN McGINN 5.5 (for Onana, 46)
The captain was brought on earlier than expected and was never going to be able to reproduce the running power of Onana. Missed a sitter in stoppage time.
DONYELL MALEN 6 (for Sancho, 61)
Looked bright when he was thrown on at 2-0 down to join Watkins up front.
ANDRES GARCIA 5 (for Buendia, 61)
Has hardly played at all this season and it showed when he came on at right-back.
MANAGERUNAI EMERY 5.5
Like Arteta, he was without key men in Kamara and Cash – but unlike Arsenal, Villa do not have the depth to cope. Replacing Tielemans and Rogers with youngsters George Hemmings and Jamal Jimoh-Aloba felt like a message ahead of January.
ArsenalAston Villa