Aston Villa secured a sensational 2-1 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal, thanks to a last-gasp goal from Emiliano Buendía. The dramatic win, sealed in the 95th minute, moved Villa up to second in the league standings, just three points behind the Gunners.
The match at Villa Park was a pulsating affair from the start. Both goalkeepers were called into action early, with Emiliano Martinez denying Martin Odegaard and David Raya thwarting Ollie Watkins. Arsenal thought they had taken the lead through Eberechi Eze, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Matty Cash put Aston Villa ahead in the 36th minute, blasting a shot through Raya's legs after a cross from Pau Torres was deflected into his path. Arsenal responded in the second half, with substitute Leandro Trossard equalizing in the 53rd minute after capitalizing on a deflection off Martinez from a Bukayo Saka pass.
Both sides then had chances to win it, with Martinez making a sensational save from Odegaard. However, it was Buendía who ultimately stole the show, firing home the winner in the dying moments after a scramble in the box, sending Villa Park into raptures. The substitute's goal sparked wild celebrations and secured a crucial three points for Unai Emery's side.
The victory was Aston Villa's ninth in their last 10 Premier League games, highlighting their impressive form. It also marked Arsenal's second league defeat of the season, ending their 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions. The result blows the title race wide open, giving Manchester City the opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal if they win their game in hand.
Speaking after the game, Unai Emery will deny his side can win the league, but they are a match for anyone and will be feared. The way this place went utterly berserk after the substitute Emiliano Buendía hauled himself off the turf to force the ball in amid a 94th-minute scramble inside the Arsenal box to clinch a ninth victory in 10 matches suggests so. Emiliano Martínez, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, rushed to drink in the winner with the rest of his Villa teammates who formed a throbbing celebratory huddle on halfway. It is fair to say this game, between teams now first and second in the table separated by only three points – particularly remarkable after Villa's slow start to the campaign – lived up to its billing.
