In the very last minute of the game, Emiliano Buendía’s strike ensured a 2–1 thrilling victory for Aston Villa against Arsenal, thereby taking Villa’s good home form to six consecutive Premier League wins and making a loud statement in the title race.
The game started with riotous tempo, and both keepers were tested straight away. Emiliano Martínez thwarted Martin Ødegaard in the very first minute, while David Raya also kept his side in the game with an outstanding save from Ollie Watkins. Bukayo Saka was the only player who looked dangerous and looked like scoring scoring but still he failed to the chanfind the back of the net, but Arsenal still controlled the tempo. The Gunners eventually scored through Eze, only for the goal to be chalked off as Saka was found offside in the build-up.
Villa, however, remained calm, and their persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Matty Cash, who was left unmarked, drilled a shot through David Raya’s legs inside the box to put the home team in front. Before the break, Arsenal tried to shoot back but were met by a very strong Martínez in goal.
The effect of Mikel Arteta’s two substitutions at the interval was felt instantly, with Leandro Trossard equalising only seven minutes after his arrival from the bench. The game remained intense in the second period, and the players from both teams could have scored further goals, but Watkins, Ødegaard and Saka were nearest to scoring.
Arsenal’s box would be the scene of the last chaos that allowed Buendía to keep his cool and find the back of the net with his winning shot. The match takes Villa up to second place on the table with only three points less than Arsenal, whose 18-game undefeated streak came to an end in a dramatic fashion.
