In the second half, Villa limited Arsenal to just four shots and zero “big chances”, as defined by Opta. At the other end, Villa had five shots, three “big chances” and those two goals. Remarkably, Villa also had more of the ball, with 54 per cent of possession after the break. If they were somewhat lucky in the first half, when Arsenal missed a series of chances, then they deserved everything they got in the second.
It was a performance built on the midfield energy of John McGinn, the running speed of centre-back Diego Carlos and the clinical finishing of both Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins. Throughout the spine of their side, Villa had physicality and technical quality. Arsenal found brick walls everywhere they turned – and those brick walls could play football, too.
Emery would not say it but this result, much like his team’s 1-0 win over Arsenal at Villa Park and that Europa League triumph with Villarreal, will surely have provided him with added personal satisfaction. It must have been deliciously sweet to leap in celebratory delight on the touchline, as he did after Bailey’s opener, at the club where his employment was so bluntly terminated after only 18 months.
For those who closely followed the Spaniard’s time at Arsenal, it is remarkable to witness an Emery team playing with such composure and precision at the back. By building a side capable of passing out from the goalkeeper, Emery has achieved at Villa what he never could at Arsenal. When his Arsenal tried such an approach, it often ended in disaster for their players and laughter for opposition fans.
No one is laughing now, and certainly not at Arsenal. There are no regrets over Emery’s sacking – he had to go, and Arteta has built a new beast since – but it is unquestionably uncomfortable, for all involved, that Emery has once again triumphed against them, and against Arteta.
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