Arsenal showed determination to come from behind and win 4-2 in a scintillating battle against Aston Villa with their Premier League (PL) title hopes on the line.

The Gunners were facing a former manager for the first time since beating George Graham’s Tottenham Hotspur in March 2001, and in desperate need of a similar result after suffering defeat against Manchester City, they got off to the worst possible start against Unai Emery’s Villans.

Matty Cash dispossessed Oleksandr Zinchenko and picked out Ollie Watkins, who beat William Saliba and struck across Aaron Ramsdale for his fourth goal in as many games.

Every title push needs a slice of luck somewhere along the road, and Arsenal will feel they earned theirs as Jorginho’s ambitious effort struck the crossbar, hit Martínez’s head and trickled into the back of the net.

Gabriel Martinelli then rounded off the scoring as the Gunners ended their four-game winless streak and reclaimed top spot ahead of Manchester City’s match with Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Villa suffered their third consecutive defeat in heartbreaking fashion.

No midfielder has been directly involved in more PL league goals than Martin Ødegaard this season:

Apps: 22

Goals: 8

Assists: 6

MØ8 is leading by example.

Bukayo Saka in the first-half for Arsenal:

◉ Most duels won (7)

◉ Most crosses (6)

◉ Most touches in opp. box (5)

◉ Most tackles made (4)

◉ Most dribbles completed (2)

◉ Most goals (1)

Doing it all.

No outfield player registered less touches than Eddie Nketiah in the first-half (13).

Coutinho’s goal is his first since the 22nd of May 2022.

Long time coming.

Philippe Coutinho has scored more Premier League goals against Arsenal (5) as he has against any other side.

Philippe Coutinho has scored more Premier League goals against Arsenal (5) as he has against any other side.

Coutinho’s goal is his first since the 22nd of May 2022.

Long time coming.

Ollie Watkins has now scored in four consecutive league games for the first time in his career.

Most goal involvements by English players in the Premier League this season:

◎ Harry Kane: 18

◉ Bukayo Saka: 17

◎ Ivan Toney: 17

◎ Marcus Rashford: 15

vs Southampton

vs Leicester City

vs Manchester City

vs Arsenal

Ollie Watkins is on fire.