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Arsenal re-established a firm grip on the top of the Premier League after a 2-0 home win vs Brentford on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa climbed to third place after staging a dramatic 4-3 comeback away at Brighton & Hove Albion — overturning a 2-0 deficit to secure a high-scoring win.
Arsenal Hold Firm at the Top
- Mikel Merino opened the scoring early with an 11-minute header at the Emirates Stadium, giving Arsenal the lead.
- The points were sealed in stoppage time by substitute Bukayo Saka, securing the 2-0 win.
- The victory stretched Arsenal’s unbeaten run across all competitions to 18 games and lifted them to 33 points from 14 matches — putting five points between them and their nearest rivals.
Villa’s Dramatic Comeback at Brighton
- At the Amex Stadium, Brighton surged ahead 2-0 by the 29th minute — Jan Paul van Hecke scoring first and a subsequent own goal from Brighton putting Villa on the back foot.
- But Villa hit back before halftime: Ollie Watkins struck twice to level the game, breathing life into the comeback.
- In the second half, Amadou Onana headed Villa ahead from a corner, and a goal from Donyell Malen made it 4-2. A late strike from van Hecke gave Brighton hope, but Villa held on.
- With the win, Villa moved up to third in the standings with 27 points, signaling a serious push for European places.
What It Means for the Title Race and Top Four
- Arsenal’s steadiness under pressure and ability to close out matches — even amid a mounting injury list — highlights their credentials as title favourites.
- Villa’s resilience and attacking firepower make them dangerous challengers for a top-four finish. Their comeback at Brighton underscores the confidence and momentum building under Unai Emery.
- The tightness of competition — with teams like Villa, and even clubs behind them, chasing spots — ensures that the next few weeks will be critical for defining who fights for the title, CL places, and who scrapes European qualification.
