Villa fall behind to a freak chance after 29 seconds, dominate, equalise, only to concede so much against the run of play that it is almost embarrassing for the hosts. Patience and perseverance win through in typical Emery style, however, and Villa, almost inevitably, have nine wins in a row.

Villa secured their seventh successive win in all competitions in dramatic fashion as leaders Arsenal were dispatched at Villa Park by a 95th minute Emi Buendía stunner.

Villa fall 0-2 behind to a scrappy tap-in and an own-goal in the first 25 minutes before Ollie Watkins breaks his drought and scores two, the second an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Villa come out and storm to a 4-2 lead and look like adding more before Brighton get another scruffy goal and Villa’s defensive nous delivers another three points, consolidates third place and further cements the mental legacy being built at the club under Unai Emery.