Only shocking thing about a home Villa win was that it wasn't a shock!

FOR the first time in 106 years, Aston Villa have claimed nine topflight wins in a 10-game spell after beating Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 on Saturday.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

Villa goalscorer Matty Cash

Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens were both in attendance, as was Dean Smith, to watch Unai Emery’s side inflict only a second league defeat of the season on Arsenal, who are now just three points ahead of Villa.

Emi Buendia, who came off the bench after the interval, then secured all three points with the final kick of the game, guiding the ball past David Raya in front of the Holte End.

The manner of Villa's victory was surreal and caused bedlam inside Villa Park, but the result itself - was it a shock? No.

Villa are now unbeaten in all three of their Premier League home games against sides starting the day top of the table under Emery, with both wins coming against Arsenal.

They defeated the Gunners nearly two years ago at Villa Park, just days after playing Manchester City off the park - exactly 24 months before yesterday’s latest win over Arsenal.

Saturday's result means Arsenal have now lost six Premier League games to Villa under Mikel Arteta, their second-most defeats to any opponent during his tenure.

Villa have also now won 13 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, and nine in a row at home.

There’s no team in world football who would relish a trip to Villa Park - perhaps aside from Crystal Palace. The Eagles are the only away team to have won there in over 15 months.

Given the staggering turnaround since that 1-1 draw at Sunderland, talk of entering a title race isn’t as wild as it might initially seem. The truth is that Villa can’t be ruled out of a title race in December. On the other, can they truly be in one this early? The second half of the season will present its own challenges, but also significant opportunities.