Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal recap

DRAMATIC BUENDIA WINNER LEAVES DENT IN ARSENAL’S TITLE HOPES

Emi Buendia curled home a sensational late goal to give Aston Villa a 2-1 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal in one of the best games of the season.

Once again, former Arsenal boss Unai Emery foiled Mikel Arteta, while The Gunners’ injury problems may also be beginning to tell as the visitors were forced to select a makeshift back four of Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Pierro Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori.

In an even first half, Arsenal had more chances but Villa had better quality ones, as David Raya produced a world-class save against Ollie Watkins before Matty Cash got on the end of a deflected cross and finished well to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.

But after a double change that saw Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino depart for Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres, The Gunners exploded out of blocks in the second half.

Seven minutes of extreme pressure were eventually rewarded when Martin Odegaard – who was majestic all day pulling the strings for Arsenal – released Bukayo Saka, who fired a ball across the six-yard box for Trossard to tap in.

Both sides had opportunities as the clock ticked towards 90 with Raya denying Watkins again and Emi Martinez tipping a fizzing Odegaard shot over the bar, but the high-intensity clash seemed to be destined for a draw when Noni Madueke fired wide in the third of four added minutes.

Yet Villa would not be denied and, after Jadon Sancho,Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara were all involved in a goalmouth scramble that Arsenal tried desperately to defend, the ball fell to Buendia who lifted his shot through a sea of bodies and past a diving Raya to send Villa Park hysterical.

Arsenal’s first defeat since August means the leaders are now only three points ahead of Aston Villa, who are second provisionally, while Manchester City could move to within two points of The Gunners if they beat Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

Incredible scenes at Villa Park as Buendia scores late winner to dent Arsenal’s title hopes

Video credit: TNT Sports