Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa result - Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus fire Gunners five points clear at Premier League summit

Arsenal ended 2025 with a real statement of title intent as Mikel Arteta’s men extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a crushing 4-1 victory over in-form Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.

The Villans were targeting a club record 12th win in a row and had the best chance of a goalless first half when Ollie Watkins rolled wide of the near post.

Viktor Gyokeres had twice headed off target for the hosts who upped the ante in the second period and broke the deadlock when Gabriel bundled in Bukayo Saka’s corner following a howler from Emiliano Martinez on 48 minutes.

Martin Zubimendi added a second just four minutes later when he finished off a neat move and the outcome was never in doubt from that moment on.

Arsenal created chance after chance and notched a third when a VAR check deemed there was no offside in the build-up to Leandro Trossard’s 69th-minute strike.

The Gunners then added a fourth when substitute Gabriel Jesus curled a delicious shot into the corner to put the icing on the cake before Watkins notched a consolation in stoppage time.

The result sees The Gunners move five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who visit Sunderland on New Year’s Day.

Villa are now six points off the summit in third spot after seeing their impressive club record-equalling streak come to an end.

Next up, Arsenal visit Bournemouth on Saturday while Villa host Nottingham Forest. 

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"(A) huge result for them in lots of ways," said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.

"The calibre of the opposition, the first time Arsenal have beaten a real rival this season; the manner of the victory (with) the second half performance as well. (They) completely demolished Aston Villa, scoring goals and making sure the stadium wasn’t nervous at the end. It was something the crowd could enjoy in the last 15, 20 minutes."

Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa.

Watkins booked.

This time there are no goalkeeping heroics as Watkins buries a close-range consolation.

Arsenal and Arteta will be disappointed they switched off there with a clean sheet so close.

Incredible from Raya!

Watkins sees his glancing header come back off the post, but it leaves what should be a tap-in for McGinn.

The Scot looks to slam home from four yards but Raya somehow gets across to claw it away.

Eight minutes added.

Emery's men could have pulled level on points with Arsenal had they won here tonight, but instead they have been shown just how far off they are in terms of being real contenders for the title.

Madueke and White on for Saka and Timber.

Rogers and Tielemans off.

Jimoh-Aloba and Hemmings on.

Bogarde booked.

Villa are all at sea and almost ship a five as Saka jinks into the area, side steps Lindelof but fizzes a rising shot over the bar.

Jesus takes Trossard's low pass from the left and curves a sumptuous finish into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Jesus and Lewis-Skelly on.

Gabriel and Gyokeres off.

Rogers bamboozles two on the edge of the box but sees his fizzing effort diverted behind by the head of Gabriel.

Merino off.

Norgaard on.

After an eternal VAR check in relation to a couple of potential offsides in the build-up, Torssard's explosive strike from just outside the area is given.

It's 3-0 and all over!