Aston Villa vs Arsenal: Late Buendia Dagger blows title race wide open as Gunners lose

The Gunners have watched their lead at the top of the Premier League table evaporate before their very eyes after dropping points in the league for the third time in five games after their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.

A late goal from Argentine star Emiliano Buendia was enough for the hosts to stun the league leaders in a match where they were the better team for large spells. Leandro Trossard had equalised for the Gunners after Matty Cash gave Aston Villa the lead before Buendia snatched a late winner for the Villains.

Arsenal and Aston Villa delivered a thrilling contest at Villa Park, with both goalkeepers called into action almost immediately as Emiliano Martínez denied Martin Ødegaard and David Raya stopped Ollie Watkins at the other end.

Bukayo Saka grew into the game but saw multiple efforts stopped before his assist for Eberechi Eze was ruled out for offside.

Aston Villa remained bold and were rewarded in the 37th minute when Matty Cash smashed Pau Torres’ redirected cross through Raya’s legs to give the hosts the lead. Arsenal pushed for a response before the break, but Ben White and Declan Rice saw their efforts dealt with comfortably.

Mikel Arteta introduced changes at halftime, and Arsenal’s pressure paid off as Leandro Trossard equalised seven minutes after coming on, finishing after Martínez got a hand to Saka’s pass.

Villa responded strongly as Watkins threatened repeatedly, while Martínez produced a sensational save to deny Ødegaard in a breathless second half.

As the match looked destined for a draw, late drama struck when Aston Villa kept the ball alive in stoppage time, allowing Emiliano Buendía to calmly fire home the winner.

The victory marked Villa’s seventh straight win in all competitions, lifting them to second place and ending Arsenal’s 18-game unbeaten run.