Arsenal next five fixtures compared to Man City and Chelsea after Premier League title race twist

A look at what lies ahead for Mikel Arteta's men and their rivals over a busy Christmas period

Arsenal suffered a disappointing afternoon as they fell to an injury time defeat to Aston Villa in Saturday's early kick-off.

The Gunners went into the game knowing that they would move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a win. However, they faced an Aston Villa team looking to record their seventh win in a row in all competitions.

And Villa took the lead, with the Gunners falling behind through a goal from Matty Cash in the 36th minute.

It didn't take Arsenal too long after the half-time break to score the equaliser, with half-time substitute Leandro Trossard making an immediate impact to make it 1-1.

Mikel Arteta's men were, however, hit with a blow in the 95th minute when Emiliano Buendia scored the winning goal for Villa.

The defeat means that Arsenal are just three points ahead of Villa, who are in second place. That gap could, however, be cut to two points with Man City in action at 3pm.

With a busy Christmas period ahead, here's a look at what is ahead for Arsenal and their rivals for the Premier League title...

Arsenal (1st place, 33 points)

Vs Wolves (H) - Sat 13 Dec (8pm)

Vs Everton (A) - Sat 20 Dec (8pm)

Vs Brighton (H) - Sat 27 Dec (3pm)

Vs Aston Villa (H) - Tues 30 Dec (8.15pm)

Vs Bournemouth (A) - Sat 3 Jan (5.30pm)

The Gunners also face Club Brugge (A) in the Champions League and Crystal Palace (H) in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Aston Villa (2nd place, 30 points)

Vs West Ham (A) - Sat 14 Dec (2pm)

Vs Man United (H) - Sun 21 Dec (4.30pm)

Vs Chelsea (A) - Sat 27 Dec (5.30pm)

Va Arsenal (A) - Tues 30 Dec (8.15pm)

Vs Nottingham Forest (H) - Sat 3 Jan (12.30pm)

Villa also face Basel away in the Europa League.

Man City (3rd place, 28 points)

Vs Sunderland (H) - Sat 6 Dec (3pm)

Vs Crystal Palace (A) - Sat 14 Dec (2pm)

Vs West Ham (H) - Sat 20 Dec (3pm)

Vs Nottingham Forest (A) - Sat 27 Dec (12.30pm)

Vs Sunderland (A) - Thurs 1 Jan (3pm)

City also face Real Madrid away in the Champions League and Brentford at home in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea (4th place, 24 points)

Vs Bournemouth (A) - Sat 6 Dec (3pm)

Vs Everton (H) - Sat 13 Dec (12.30pm)

Vs Newcastle (A) - Sat 20 Dec (12.30pm)

Vs Aston Villa (H) - Sat 27 Dec (5.30pm)

Vs Bournemouth (H) - Tues 30 Dec (7.30pm)