Arsenal survive Bournemouth scare, as Aston Villa bounce back into title race | Football news

Declan Rice shrugged off a knee injury to extend Arsenal’s advantage at the top of the Premier League to six points with a 3-2 victory at Bournemouth.

A rare error from Gabriel Magalhaes gave the Cherries an opener through Evanilson on Saturday, but the Brazilian quickly recovered to equalize.

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“We made it more difficult for ourselves with the first goal,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “[But] I love the character of the team and the character of Gabi [Magalhaes]. We have grown over the years. »

Rice was a doubt after missing Tuesday’s 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa due to knee swelling.

The England international returned to the starting lineup and doubled his tally for the season with two composed finishes either side of the hour mark.

Eli Kroupi’s fine strike gave Bournemouth hope, but Arsenal comfortably saw out the finals to take a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who host managerless Chelsea in their ongoing match on Sunday.

There was a glimmer of hope for Pep Guardiola’s men when Arsenal conceded after just 10 minutes.

Gabriel missed his attempted cross pass to Jurrien Timber and presented the ball to compatriot Evanilson, who slotted past David Raya for his first home goal of the season.

The imposing Arsenal centre-back scored on his first start in almost two months against Villa in midweek, and again showed his eye for goal to equalize within six minutes.

Gabriel rushed to slam home Noni Madueke’s deflected cross for his 20th Premier League goal since joining the Gunners in 2020 – seven more than any other defender.

Rice has also become a useful source of big goals since being pushed into a more advanced role this season.

He was perfectly spotted by Martin Odegaard to slot in from the edge of the area and give the visitors the lead in the 56th minute.

Bukayo Saka came off the bench to create Arsenal’s third goal as Rice won his cut.

“With the offensive threat they pose, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Rice said afterward.

“To get the three points after a first half that wasn’t the best on our part means it’s a big victory.

“The main thing is three points and to keep the momentum going.”

Bournemouth remain winless, going back 11 games to October 26.

However, only five teams have scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Andoni Iraola’s men.

A superb long-range strike from Kropi set up a nervy finale.

But Arteta’s men held firm and took another important step towards ending their 22-year wait to win the Premier League title.

Villa beat Forest, while West Ham ’embarrassed’ against Wolves

Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at their home fortress to ease the pain of their midweek mauling by Arsenal, leapfrogging Manchester City into second place in the Premier League.

Ollie Watkins’ strike near half-time gave Unai Emery’s side a deserved lead, and John McGinn scored twice in the second half, either side of a Morgan Gibbs-White goal for the visitors.

Villa’s 11-match winning streak in all competitions was halted with a 4-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, raising doubts over their ability to maintain their title charge.

But their impressive record at Villa Park remains intact; they have now won 11 consecutive matches there since a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in August.

Villa boss Emery told Sky Sports that his players and coaching staff had come together after their crushing defeat to Arsenal.

“I’m so happy,” he said. “We had to find our energy and our confidence. Here at Villa Park, the energy we created was really important.

“Forest is competitive. After the match against Arsenal, we met with the players and staff: how we are doing this season, how we feel, how we had to keep the same consistency as before, how we had to be together and strong.”

Villa started brightly on a bitterly cold day in Birmingham but struggled to make their dominance count in a lukewarm first half.

But the in-form Watkins broke the deadlock in the dying moments of a half in which they enjoyed almost 80 per cent possession.

The England international received the ball outside the box from Morgan Rogers and scored his fourth goal in three games.

McGinn doubled Villa’s lead in the 49th minute, heading home from a Matty Cash cross.

Villa looked to be cruising, but Forest were back in the game in the 61st minute thanks to a fine finish from Gibbs-White, who headed past the diving Emi Martinez.

The home side scored a third goal in the 73rd minute, when Forest goalkeeper John Victor inexplicably left his mouth trying to reach a long ball from Youri Tielemans, even though there were defenders nearby.

Scotland midfielder McGinn collected the ball and remained calm, avoiding Victor and caressing the ball into the empty net with his left foot well outside the area.

The victory took Villa to 42 points, one ahead of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who host Chelsea on Sunday.

Forest, who have now suffered four consecutive league defeats, remain one place above the relegation zone, four points clear of West Ham, who were beaten 3-0 at bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

“The first half was embarrassing and I have to apologize to the fans; that’s not what we want to show,” Hammers coach Nuno Espirito Santo said afterwards.

Elsewhere, second-bottom Burnley lost 2-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion.