Jamie Redknapp makes Arsenal claim after Aston Villa slump to Everton defeat | Football

Jamie Redknapp says Arsenal were handed an enormous let-off after Aston Villa ‘blew an incredible opportunity’ to use some ‘real pressure’ by falling to defeat at home to Everton.

Thierno Barry kept his cool to beat Emiliano Martinez just before the hour-mark and the Frenchman’s exquisite dinked finish proved the difference, with hosts Villa offering up next to nothing in response.

Villa’s woes were compounded by a worrying-looking injury to John McGinn, who was forced off with a suspected knee problem just 18 minutes into Sunday’s gritty Premier League contest.

Unai Emery cut a frustrated figure on the touchline at Villa Park, together with his side missing the prospect to go second within the table following Manchester City’s shock 2-0 loss at Manchester United a day earlier.

It means Arsenal finish the weekend with an imperious seven-point advantage over their two title rivals, Pep Guardiola’s City sitting above third-placed Villa on goal difference after 22 games.

Villa will hope to bounce back away to Newcastle next weekend having dropped points in three of their last 4 matches within the English top flight.

‘They couldn’t have began any worse, obviously Everton hit the post in the primary jiffy and also you thought which may wake them up, get them going,’ Redknapp said of Villa’s limp performance on Sky Sports.

‘Then you definately lose John McGinn they usually have blown an incredible opportunity to place some real pressure on Arsenal.

‘They didn’t have the capabilities in any area today and the individuals that may bail them out they usually weren’t at their best.

‘It was a very, really tough afternoon for Aston Villa, they simply never got it going in any respect.

‘Perhaps that’s a little bit little bit of pressure, they obviously didn’t have a few of their players.’

Redknapp was left scratching his head over Villa’s ‘really strange’ decision to permit Donyell Malen to finish a loan move to Roma within the week.

‘Malen leaving in midweek felt a very strange decision while you have a look at that substitutes bench, they didn’t have those options today,’ he added.

‘So yeah, a very tough one. but I’d also credit David Moyes. He knows what he’s doing that guy. He knows the right way to set a team as much as be difficult to beat and that’s their best results of the season.’

The previous Liverpool, Tottenham and England midfielder picked out James Garner, Harrison Armstrong and Jack Grealish for special praise after Everton’s ‘unbelievable’ win.

‘An impressive performance from Moyes’ team,’ he went on.

‘James Garner in midfield, I assumed Harrison Armstrong was exceptional, Jack Grealish kept good width and he at all times gives you quality on the ball.

‘An unbelievable result for them but for Aston Villa, that will likely be so tough to take.’

Chatting with Sky Sports shortly after the ultimate whistle, Garner hailed Everton’s ‘amazing’ display away from home against a ‘excellent’ Villa side.

‘They’re a excellent team they usually have a whole lot of good players. The lads grinded it out today. We got the prospect and we took it,’ he said.

‘We tried to nullify what they’re good at which is playing through the center. We tried to dam of the passing lanes and force it wide. We waited for our moment.

‘We were in a sticky patch. We needed to get ourselves out of this. To win away from house is hopefully the beginning of it.

‘I feel it was a tremendous performance from the lads.’

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