Arsenal have strengthened their hold on the fourth and final Champions League spot in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, secured by a first-half strike by Bukayo Saka.
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The England international latched onto a weakly-cleared ball by the Villa defence and lashed a low, first-time shot past unsighted goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from the edge of the area in the 30th minute at Villa Park on Saturday.
Arsenal, missing goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale because of injury and in-form winger Gabriel Martinelli because of illness, were in control for most of the lunchtime game despite the short turnaround from their loss to Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Saka was a constant danger and his well-taken goal took him to nine in the league this season, during which he has established himself as regular on the right wing.
Arsenal moved four points clear of fifth-place Manchester United and within five of third-placed Chelsea in their bid to return to the Champions League.
This season is the first in a quarter of a century that Arsenal have not been involved in European competition.
Arsenal also have a game in hand over United, who aren't in action this weekend.
Ninth-placed Villa were strangled by Arsenal's intensity in midfield and had only a few sights of goal, mostly in the second half.
From one, Ollie Watkins struck the base of the post in the 68th minute with what proved to be the hosts' best chance.
Australian Associated Press
