Aston Villa secured an impressive 2-1 victory against Premier League leaders Arsenal, ending the Gunners’ unbeaten streak in a thrilling encounter at Villa Park on Saturday. The decisive moment came from Emiliano Buendia, who scored with nearly the last kick of the match, boosting Villa’s prospects in the title race.
The match started positively for Villa when Matty Cash scored in the 39th minute, giving the home team a valuable lead. Arsenal responded quickly after halftime with Leandro Trossard finding the net for his 50th Premier League goal, equalizing and seemingly extending their unbeaten streak to 19 games in all competitions. However, the atmosphere shifted as Villa sought to reclaim the momentum, leading to Buendia’s late winner that ignited celebrations among the Villa faithful.
This victory marked Villa’s ninth win in their last ten league outings, elevating them to second place in the league standings with 30 points, just three points behind Arsenal, who currently have 33. Manchester City’s performance against Sunderland later on Saturday could further tighten the competition at the top.
Head coach Unai Emery has been instrumental in Villa’s recent success, achieving victories against Arsenal in both league matches this season. This season has become particularly notable given Arsenal’s narrow defeat to Manchester City during last year’s title race. While Arsenal’s defeat won’t trigger an immediate crisis, it raises questions, particularly regarding their defensive stability, as they contend with recent injuries.
The absence of three center backs severely hampered Arsenal’s defensive efforts, allowing Villa to exploit openings through counter-attacks. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya notably made a remarkable save to thwart Ollie Watkins, while Declan Rice played a key role in disrupting several Villa advances.
An offside goal by Eberechi Eze also exemplified Arsenal’s struggle to maintain control, yet Villa’s perseverance and aggressive play enabled them to secure a well-deserved victory. This match not only highlighted Villa’s tenacity and skill but also served as a wake-up call for Arsenal to address and strengthen their defensive capabilities moving forward.