The Gunners suffered an early setback when John McGinn gave Villa the lead in the 20th minute and things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Ainsley Maitland-Niles received his marching orders for a second bookable offence just before the break.

Nicolas Pepe’s first goal for the club gave Arsenal a lifeline in the 59th minute, but Villa regained the lead 89 seconds later through Wesley and looked on course for a famous victory.

But their resistance was finally broken in the final 10 minutes as goals from substitute Calum Chambers (81) and Aubameyang (84) secured Unai Emery’s side a vital three points to move them up to fourth in the table.