In a devastating blow to Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations, they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, giving Manchester City a significant advantage in the title race. Late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins sealed the victory for Villa, leaving Arsenal with their fifth loss of the season.

The defeat meant that Arsenal missed an opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the table, as rivals Liverpool also stumbled against Crystal Palace. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, recognized that their fate is now out of their hands once again, referring to last season's disappointment when they were also overtaken by Manchester City.

Reflecting on the match, Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal had a strong performance in the first half, one of their best this season, against a formidable opponent. However, they failed to convert their chances, and momentum shifted in the second half, leading to their downfall. Arteta emphasized the need for leadership and character among his players, considering this a significant test for the team.

Defensively, Arsenal had been solid in recent matches, conceding only four goals in their last 11 Premier League games. However, their slack defending against Aston Villa allowed Bailey and Watkins to find the back of the net, compounding Arsenal's misery.

Looking ahead, Arteta highlighted the importance of improvement ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich. Arsenal had gifted Bayern two goals in the first leg, and Arteta stressed the need for a better performance to have any chance of progressing.

Despite the disappointment, Arteta expressed that the players are eager to make amends and seize a unique opportunity. Arsenal has a chance to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 14 years, something that Arteta believes couldn't have come at a better time.

As for Villa, their victory over Arsenal solidified their position in fourth place, now three points clear of Tottenham. Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, now at Villa, expressed his satisfaction with the win, emphasizing that beating Arsenal held no special significance for him.

The defeat leaves Arsenal with an uphill battle to reignite their title hopes, while Manchester City, now in the driving seat, will look to seize the opportunity to secure the Premier League crown. It remains to be seen how Arsenal will respond and whether they can rediscover their winning form in both the league and the Champions League.