Aston Villa ended Premier League leaders Arsenal’s lengthy unbeaten run as Emiliano Buendia scored with nearly the final kick of the sport to safe an exciting 2-1 win that put his aspect proper within the thick of the title battle at Villa Park on Saturday.
It seemed as if Leandro Trossard’s equaliser would lengthen Arsenal’s run with no defeat to 19 video games in all competitions however a scintillating duel was determined in dramatic vogue when Buendia fired dwelling after a late scramble.
Matty Money drove dwelling a low shot to offer Villa the lead within the thirty ninth minute to reward his aspect’s optimistic method earlier than substitute Trossard equalised from shut vary seven minutes after the restart along with his fiftieth Premier League objective.
After that it was a whirlwind of attacking play with either side unwilling to accept some extent. But it surely was Villa who secured a ninth win of their final 10 Premier League video games to spark delirious celebrations from the house followers.
Victory moved them into second place with 30 factors from 15 video games, with Arsenal on 33. Manchester Metropolis may shut Arsenal’s result in two factors in the event that they beat Sunderland in a while Saturday.
“Unimaginable, the sensation to attain that objective and assist the group get the win, an essential win in opposition to the desk leaders,” mentioned Buendia, who was near leaving in the summertime.
“It exhibits the character of the groups on this league, they did effectively to attempt to block the shot with three gamers on the ground. I noticed the house and had the chance.”
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No group within the prime flight can match Unai Emery’s Villa aspect over the past 10 video games and Arsenal’s defeat by the hands of their previous supervisor as soon as once more will set off alarm bells.
Emery masterminded dwelling and away Villa wins over Arsenal within the 2023-24 season when Mikel Arteta’s aspect ended up falling brief by two factors to Manchester Metropolis in a gripping title race.
Whereas this defeat won’t trigger panic, the way of it was a physique blow to the north Londoners.
“The way that it occurred on the finish it was actually tough to take,” Arteta mentioned. “Within the second half we have been dominant after scoring the objective however had intervals the place we allowed an excessive amount of house. Then on the finish there may be some chaos within the field and we find yourself shedding the sport. It’s painful.”
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With Cristhian Mosquera’s harm within the midweek win over Brentford which means Arsenal went to Villa with out him, Gabriel and William Saliba — their three centre backs — there was a vulnerability about them that has been absent this season.
Arsenal keeper David Raya made an excellent save to disclaim Ollie Watkins whereas the tireless Declan Rice needed to make some essential interceptions for his aspect.
Eberechi Eze had a objective dominated out for offside for the guests however it was Villa who took the lead when a cross flicked into the trail of Money on the again publish and he didn’t hesitate as he smashed a low shot previous Raya.
Trossard has a behavior of scoring massive objectives for Arsenal and obliged once more as Saka’s cross shot was pushed into his path by Martinez and the Belgian was by no means going to overlook.
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For some time Arsenal seized management however Villa roared again and produced some thrilling counter-attacks, one among which noticed Boubacar Kamara take too lengthy to shoot and one other which ended with Watkins once more denied by Raya.
As the sport swung forwards and backwards Martinez finger-tipped a ferocious shot by Martin Odegaard over the bar earlier than Saka’s goal-bound shot was blocked on the road.
Donyell Malen ought to have put Villa again forward however dragged a shot broad and in stoppage time it was Arsenal who have been looking the winner till an astonishing goalmouth scramble on the different finish noticed Raya twice make saves earlier than the ball arrived on the toes of Buendia who lofted a shot by a crowd and into the online.