Second-placed Arsenal are now six points behind Liverpool as their bid for a first title since 2004 continues to splutter.

Darwin's Nunez's stoppage-time double for Liverpool sealed a 2-0 win at Brentford just half an hour before Arsenal kicked off, with groans audible from the stands as the result reached fans at the Emirates.

And with Liverpool holding a game in hand on Arsenal, Arne Slot's men are firmly in control of the title race.

Arsenal's 2-1 win against north London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday had ended a damaging run of three games without a win in all competitions.

That frustrating streak included the FA Cup exit against 10-man Manchester United and a League Cup semi-final first leg loss to Newcastle.

There was a pre-match blow for Arsenal as French defender William Saliba was ruled out with a "minor issue" and Villa eventually exploited his absence.

Villa had ruined Arsenal's title bid last term, beating them twice in the league including a crucial 2-0 victory in north London in April.

Emery haunts Arsenal

Despite partially avenging those losses with a win at Villa earlier this season, Arsenal found themselves frustrated by their former boss Unai Emery again.

Despite being penned deep inside their own half for most of the opening 10 minutes, Villa should have taken the lead when Ian Maatsen's fierce strike from 12 yards forced a fine save from David Raya.

Arsenal's pressure was rewarded in the 35th minute as Leandro Trossard whipped a cross into the six-yard box and Martinelli got in front of Maatsen to stab past Martinez, whose save couldn't quite stop the ball crossing the line before he clawed it out.

Havertz headed over from Martin Odegaard's free-kick, but the much-maligned German finally ended his recent struggles to double Arsenal's lead in the 55th minute.