Arsenal’s title push suffered a painful setback on Saturday after a dramatic late winner saw Aston Villa clinch a 2-1 win at Villa Park.
The Premier League match looked destined for a draw until Emiliano Buendia struck deep into added time to seal all three points for the home side.
Aston Villa took the lead in the first half when Matty Cash met a loose ball inside the box and swept his finish beyond the Arsenal goalkeeper in the 36th minute. The goal brought the crowd to life and gave the hosts a firm grip on the game going into the break.
Arsenal returned for the second half with renewed urgency and wasted no time in making changes. Leandro Trossard replaced Eberechi Eze at the restart, and the Belgian forward immediately injected energy into the play. Just minutes after coming on, he tested the Villa keeper with a low effort in the 48th minute.
Trossard’s persistence paid off in the 52nd minute. Arriving late into the box, the midfielder guided the ball into the net to level the score. The goal marked his fourth of the campaign and briefly shifted momentum in favour of the visitors.
As the match ticked into the closing stages, both sides pushed for a winner. Youri Tielemans came close for Villa with a powerful effort from distance that was deflected wide in the 87th minute. Arsenal responded with a free-kick moments later, granted as the clock rolled into the final minute of normal time, but the chance slipped away.
Coach Unai Emery celebrates Aston Villa Win Over Arsenal
Arsenal thought they had one last opportunity when Noni Madueke tried his luck in the third minute of injury time from the edge of the attacking third, but the shot drifted wide. With tension rising and time all but gone, Villa produced one final moment of brilliance.
In the fifth minute of added time, Buendia found space inside the area and lifted his finish into the net to make it 2-1. The stadium erupted as Villa secured a dramatic win.
The win keeps Aston Villa firmly in the hunt near the top of the table with 30 points in 15 games, while Arsenal’s position takes a big hit. They are now just three points above second-placed Villa.
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