Arsenal's Spanish defender Martin Zubimendi celebrates. Photo: BEN STANSALL / AFP
Premier League leaders Arsenal slammed the door shut on charging Aston Villa with a 4-1 home thrashing of Unai Emery's side on Tuesday that kept them clear at the top of the table going into the New Year.
Goals by Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi early in the second half gave Arsenal control of a game that looked fraught with danger against a Villa side on an 11-match winning streak.
Arsenal secured the points when Leandro Trossard fired home from the edge of the area before Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to add the fourth.
Ollie Watkins grabbed a consolation goal for Villa in stoppage time.
Arsenal moved five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who can close the gap when they go to Sunderland on Thursday.
Villa, who will rue not getting ahead in an impressive first half, stayed in third place, six points adrift of Arsenal after their first defeat for nearly two months.
Manchester United suffered a frustrating end to 2025 as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the League's bottom side collecting their third point of the season.
Bournemouth grabbed a point at stuttering Chelsea, forcing a 2-2 draw after a frantic first-half display.
Newcastle beat Burnley 3-1, Everton beat Nottingham Forest 2-0, West Ham and Brighton drew 2-2.
Arsenal have 45 points, Manchester City 40, Aston Villa 39, Liverpool 32, Chelsea and Manchester United 30.
-Reuters