Aston Villa boss Unai Emery points to injury turning point in Arsenal defeat
Unai Emery felt the half-time loss of Amadou Onana to injury was a key factor after Villa collapsed to a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.
The Spaniard watched his team’s club record-equalling 11-match winning streak come to an abrupt halt as they were blown away in the second half of Tuesday’s clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Villa, already without Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash due to suspension, lost Onana at the break and with it any control of the match.
Gabriel Magalhaes put the Gunners in front following an error by Emi Martinez and further goals followed from Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus before Ollie Watkins bagged a stoppage time consolation.
Emery said: "Today we did very good first half. We were competing well and even getting our momentum and creating chances.
“We did not concede a lot, no corners in the first half for them. But the second half the first goal changed everything and after it they pushed it.
“And we had as well the injury of Amadou Onana and we lost everything in the middle and they have the power they showed.
“We finished losing. Now with the players, my analysis is after the match how we did here 90 minutes but overall the most important is try to understand overall how we are.”
Villa arrived in north London knowing a win would move them level on points with the Gunners at the top of the table.
But they were unable to take advantage of a positive start, with Watkins missing a good chance to break the deadlock.
Arsenal then went in front when Martinez dropped Bukayo Saka’s corner into Gabriel. Villa’s players protested the keeper had been fouled and Emery said: "The first goal, how they score it maybe could be foul.
“But her in England it is more difficult because the referees they let to touch the keepers and it is difficult but we must accept because it's both sides."
Villa remain third in the table, six points off the top but with a nine-point lead over fifth placed Chelsea at the midway point of the season.
Emery continued: “Today, against Arsenal we competed well. Last week against Chelsea, we competed well.
“To beat these teams is very difficult. On Saturday we did it but today we could not.”
