Villa’s 24-year stay in the top flight ended with a deserved 4-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Villa, who picked up their first point of Eric Black’s reign last weekend against Newcastle, headed into the game with roughly the same team that has started since Eric Black took charge, with our most gifted attacking players once again left on the bench.
Arsenal were in front within five minutes, after Oliver Giroud headed them ahead. It would remain 1-0 until half-time, with Arsenal too interested in seeing how many passes they could string together rather than attacking Villa’s woeful defence.
Joleon Lescott was replaced by Micah Richards at the 65 minute mark, with the former Everton defender seemingly having picked up an injury.
The hosts eventually got their second of the match, when once again Oliver Giroud scored after good work by Mesut Ozil. Arsenal’s third goal would come moments later, as Giroud completed his hat-trick after being played through on goal by Hector Bellerin.
As the minutes ticked down at the Emirates, the Villa fans were still in fine voice as they had been all afternoon. However, there was still time for one more comedy moment from Villa as Arteta’s shot hit the crossbar before bouncing into the net off Mark Bunn.
