The game started with high anticipation for the Gunners after Liverpool’s shock home defeat by Crystal Palace but Arsenal were desperately disappointing and ended up well beaten as Villa boss UNAI EMERY made a winning return to his former club.
Goals from Leon Bailey and OLE WATKINS secured the win for Aston Villa
It completed a perfect weekend for reigning champions City, with PEP GUARDIOLA’s side now two points clear at the top with Arsenal ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.
In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title and got there with five games to spare thanks to a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.
Bayern Munich beat FC Cologne on Saturday to keep Leverkusen’s title celebrations on hold for at least a day.
But there were scenes of jubilation for XABI ALONSO’S team when the final whistle blew at BayArena on Sunday.
VICTOR BONIFACE’s25th-minute penalty set Leverkusen on their way before GRANIT XHAKA and FLORIAN WIRTZ scored stunning goals in quick succession.
Supporters stormed on to the pitch in mid-match when star man WIRTZ added a fourth in the 82nd minute, and again when he completed a hat-trick soon afterwards.
Leverkusen’s landmark achievement ends an era of dominance for Bayern, who had won the past 11 Bundesliga titles.
