In a stunning turn of events at Emirates Stadium, Aston Villa inflicted a major blow to Arsenal's title aspirations with a resounding 2-0 victory. If Arsenal falls short of the Premier League title this season, it will be Villa who takes the blame, having become the only team to beat the Gunners twice. Surprisingly, it was Unai Emery, the former Arsenal boss, who orchestrated the most damage against his former team.

Villa's triumph was well-deserved, as they put on an immaculate performance throughout the match. After digging deep in the first half and weathering Arsenal's attacking onslaught, they completely dominated the second half, turning the match on its head. It was a tactical triumph for Emery, but also a tactical defeat for Mikel Arteta, whose team selection and formation proved too attacking.

The standout figure of the match was Kai Havertz, who played a pivotal role for both teams. In the first half, Arsenal had the upper hand, with Havertz's clever positioning causing havoc for Villa's defense. Playing in an unfamiliar role as a No 8, Havertz exploited Villa's weakness in coping with his runs into the left-hand half-space, creating numerous chances for the Gunners.

However, in the second half, Villa adjusted their tactics and successfully nullified Havertz's influence. John McGinn dropped deeper to become part of Villa's compact backline, denying Havertz the space he had exploited earlier. This adjustment played a crucial role in Villa's victory.

A major downside of playing Havertz in midfield became apparent as the match progressed. With Havertz and Declan Rice forming a lightweight two-man midfield, Villa capitalized on this by maintaining possession and exploiting the spaces left undefended. Havertz's defensive contribution was meager, completing only one tackle and zero interceptions. This was in stark contrast to the outstanding performances of Villa's midfield duo, Youri Tielemans and McGinn, who excelled in evading pressure and orchestrating their team's attack.

As the territorial battle shifted in Villa's favor, Arsenal's attacking approach, led by Havertz, turned into their weakness. The Gunners lacked a player who could dictate the tempo from deeper positions and play progressive passes into the forwards, sorely missing the presence of Jorginho.

The timing of substitutions proved crucial, with Emery's well-timed changes making the difference for Villa, while Arteta's delayed response failed to regain momentum for Arsenal. Ultimately, the wrong full-back was removed during Arteta's substitutions, leaving fans questioning the manager's decision-making.

This defeat serves as a wake-up call for Arsenal, exposing vulnerabilities in their tactical setup and highlighting the importance of balance in midfield. Villa's victory not only secures their place in Arsenal's recent history but also firmly establishes Emery as the architect of their downfall. The Gunners will need to regroup quickly if they are to keep their title hopes alive.