John McGinn has scored seven goals in 29 games for Aston Villa and Scotland this season
Aston Villa moved to within two points of the summit of the Premier League with a narrow win over Arsenal, who missed out on a chance to go top.
Villa took the lead through skipper John McGinn, who brought Leon Bailey's cross under control before hammering the ball into the net.
Arsenal had a late Kai Havertz late goal ruled out for handball by referee Jarred Gillett, with the video assistant referee upholding the call after a lengthy review.
Despite late Arsenal pressure, Villa held on to back up their statement victory over champions Manchester City on Wednesday and record a club record 15th straight home league victory.
Defeat will be a blow for title-chasing Arsenal, whose run of six straight wins in all competitions came to an end at Villa Park.
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Are Villa title contenders?
Only in 1980-81, when they last won the title, have Aston Villa taken more points after 16 games of a top-flight season, and there is a real belief that they can break into the top four.
There are even whispers that Unai Emery, once of Arsenal, could manage an outside push for the title.
Villa are the only Premier League club not to have dropped a point from a winning position this season, and, although Arsenal had the better chances after falling behind, Villa did create a few more of their own.
Ollie Watkins forced two good saves from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, one of them when clean through, although the England striker was soon flagged for offside.
In the second period Lucas Digne and Watkins both had shots saved following counter-attacks.
Villa defended with discipline and intensity, ultimately benefitting from a late VAR call to stay third, one point off Arsenal in second place, and win their opening eight home matches in a top-flight season for the first time since 1932-33.
Late VAR drama denies Arsenal equaliser
Arsenal started Saturday top of the table, dropping to second after Liverpool's win over Crystal Palace at lunchtime.
Mikel Arteta's side's last defeat had come away to Newcastle at the start of November and his team had been enjoying a four-match winning run in the league.
They created plenty of chances at a boisterous Villa Park. Bukayo Saka put a shot wide from close range just before McGinn's opener and Gabriel Martinelli dinked the ball over Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez but saw his effort hacked off the line by Diego Carlos in the first half.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard had good chances from about 12 yards out either side of the break. The first was saved by Martinez, while the second skidded wide.
The Gunners came close again midway through the second period when a routine corner was spilled by Martinez and deflected off Watkins on to the post before being cleared away with William Saliba lurking.
Saka had the ball in the net in the second half after dribbling around Martinez but had timed his run a fraction too early.
But the real drama was still to come. In stoppage time Havertz brought down a cross and hacked the ball into the Villa net.
The goal was immediately ruled out on the field, but it took a VAR review to confirm Havertz had inadvertently controlled the ball with his hand.
Arsenal would not create another clear chance, slipping to a second league defeat of the season.
helpHow to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
- Aston VillaAston VillaAston VillaArsenalArsenalArsenal
Aston VillaStarting XIAvgSquad number1Player nameE MartínezAverage rating
7.22
12345678910Squad number4Player nameKonsaAverage rating
7.21
12345678910Squad number3Player nameDiego CarlosAverage rating
7.37
12345678910Squad number14Player nameP TorresAverage rating
7.33
12345678910Squad number12Player nameDigneAverage rating
7.17
12345678910Squad number31Player nameBaileyAverage rating
7.46
12345678910Squad number44Player nameKamaraAverage rating
7.13
12345678910Squad number6Player nameDouglas LuizAverage rating
7.42
12345678910Squad number7Player nameMcGinnAverage rating
8.40
12345678910Squad number8Player nameTielemansAverage rating
7.23
12345678910Squad number11Player nameWatkinsAverage rating
7.31
12345678910SubstitutesAvgSquad number2Player nameCashAverage rating
7.18
12345678910Squad number15Player nameÁlex MorenoAverage rating
7.29
12345678910Squad number19Player nameDiabyAverage rating
7.23
12345678910Squad number32Player nameDendonckerAverage rating
7.04
12345678910Squad number41Player nameJ RamseyAverage rating
7.19
12345678910Share your Aston Villa player ratings withFacebookTwitterWhatsAppCopy and share linkArsenalStarting XIAvgSquad number22Player nameRayaAverage rating
3.81
12345678910Squad number4Player nameWhiteAverage rating
4.57
12345678910Squad number2Player nameSalibaAverage rating
5.06
12345678910Squad number6Player nameGabriel MagalhãesAverage rating
4.76
12345678910Squad number35Player nameZinchenkoAverage rating
4.28
12345678910Squad number8Player nameØdegaardAverage rating
5.07
12345678910Squad number41Player nameRiceAverage rating
5.28
12345678910Squad number29Player nameHavertzAverage rating
4.74
12345678910Squad number7Player nameSakaAverage rating
4.91
12345678910Squad number9Player nameGabriel JesusAverage rating
4.74
12345678910Squad number11Player nameGabriel MartinelliAverage rating
4.92
12345678910SubstitutesAvgSquad number14Player nameNketiahAverage rating
3.58
12345678910Squad number19Player nameTrossardAverage rating
3.64
12345678910Squad number24Player nameNelsonAverage rating
3.60
12345678910Share your Arsenal player ratings withFacebookTwitterWhatsAppCopy and share link
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsAston Villa
Formation 4-4-1-1
1E Martínez4Konsa3Diego Carlos14P Torres12Digne31Bailey44Kamara6Douglas Luiz7McGinn8Tielemans11Watkins
- 1E Martínez4KonsaSubstituted forCashat 66'minutes3Diego CarlosBooked at 88mins14P Torres12DigneBooked at 53minsSubstituted forMorenoat 78'minutes31BaileySubstituted forDiabyat 45'minutes44KamaraSubstituted forDendonckerat 66'minutes6Douglas LuizBooked at 62mins7McGinnBooked at 73mins8TielemansSubstituted forJ Ramseyat 56'minutes11Watkins
Substitutes
- 2Cash15Moreno17Lenglet19Diaby22Zaniolo24Durán32Dendoncker41J Ramsey42Marschall
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
22Raya4White2Saliba6Gabriel35Zinchenko8Ødegaard41Rice29Havertz7Saka9Gabriel Jesus11Martinelli
- 22Raya4White2Saliba6Gabriel35ZinchenkoBooked at 28minsSubstituted forNelsonat 90+4'minutes8Ødegaard41RiceBooked at 77mins29Havertz7Saka9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forNketiahat 82'minutes11MartinelliSubstituted forTrossardat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Ramsdale14Nketiah15Kiwior17Cédric Soares19Trossard20Jorginho24Nelson25Elneny76Walters
Referee:Jarred GillettMatch StatsHome TeamAston VillaAway TeamArsenalPossessionHome39%Away61%ShotsHome10Away12Shots on TargetHome3Away5CornersHome3Away3FoulsHome16Away11Live Text Post update
Match ends, Aston Villa 1, Arsenal 0.
90'+9'Full Time
Second Half ends, Aston Villa 1, Arsenal 0.
90'+8'Post update
Attempt missed. Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Declan Rice with a cross.
90'+7'Post update
Foul by Kai Havertz (Arsenal).
90'+7'Post update
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+5'Post update
Attempt blocked. Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
90'+4'Post update
Attempt blocked. John McGinn (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Douglas Luiz.
90'+4'Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal. Reiss Nelson replaces Oleksandr Zinchenko.
90'Post update
Hand ball by Kai Havertz (Arsenal).
88'Booking
Diego Carlos (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
87'Post update
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
87'Post update
Foul by Diego Carlos (Aston Villa).
85'Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
85'Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
84'Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
84'Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal).
82'Post update
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
82'Post update
Foul by Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa).
82'Post update
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82'Post update
Foul by John McGinn (Aston Villa).
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Source: bbc.com