Arsenal

Arsenal are four points clear in fourth after a 1-0 win at Villa Park.

But with Rob Holding in place to anchor the back five, Villa never got particularly close, ending the game with a stream of low value shots and headers. "We didn't deserve anything for our first half performance," acknowledged Gerrard. "Arsenal played really well, controlled a lot of the first half and we had too much respect for them. Home punters could have been forgiven for making for the toilets when they began working goal kicks out short, their advances up the pitch would have had a tortoise turning back to shout "would you hurry up?" Not for nothing were the Arsenal faithful crying out loud that they are "on their way to the Champions League." They might just be right, four points clear of Manchester United with a game in hand. A clipped ball to the near post was too tempting for Smith Rowe, who barged through Lacazette, denying either of them a clean strike at goal. The connection that they showed with the players and with me as well, you just have to be very grateful because they have come along on this journey, and I think believe on what we do.