BBC pundit claims Aston Villa got fortunate with Arsenal result
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton accepts Aston Villa were fortunate to beat Arsenal in last weekend’s Premier League meeting, but says the result only further highlights the Villans’ top-four credentials.
John McGinn scored what proved to be the only goal of the game in the seventh minute of the contest at Villa Park on Saturday (9 December).
Kai Havertz had a late equaliser ruled out for handball by referee Jarred Gillett, which VAR upheld following a lengthy check, while the Gunners were also denied a penalty for Douglas Luiz’s challenge on Gabriel Jesus.
The victory against the side that led the table at the start of the day came three days on from defeating reigning champions Manchester City by the same 1-0 scoreline at Villa Park.
Villa are now third in the Premier League and just two points off leaders Liverpool, while the gap to Tottenham in fifth place stands at five points.
The Villans may have had to ride their luck against Arsenal, but Hutton insists that is ultimately a good sign for the club and their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
“The performance wasn’t great, and it wasn’t a great game of football,” Hutton told Villa News.
“Over the piece I think Arsenal probably deserved to win it, if I’m being totally honest.
“But a lot was taken out of them with the Manchester City result – they were absolutely outstanding in that game.
“There’s a bit of leeway, but the thing for me is when you get into the top-four conversation, can you grind results out? That’s exactly what they’ve done.
“They got the goal, a lovely goal for John McGinn, and I don’t think it was a penalty for Arsenal. Overall, they did well to get the three points.”
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton expects a fringe player to get the nod to start against Brentford after a development last week.