Aston Villa beat Arsenal 2-1 for Villa Park on Saturday, and the result don cut the gap between both teams for top of Premier League table to just three points.
Ollie Watkins suppose don give Villa early lead, but after correct buildup, the striker miss from middle of the goal and keep the score 0-0.
Villa still find breakthrough 10 minutes before halftime as Matty Cash waka inside from right side, meet one lofted cross, and drive the shot low pass David Raya legs.
Arsenal enter second half with fire, and Leandro Trossard — wey just enter — sneak score for left post after Bukayo Saka cross deflect reach am.
But Villa dominate the second half and their pressure finally pay for stoppage time. Emiliano Buendia react fastest inside one chaotic penalty-area scramble and blast the ball high into the net for 90+5 minute winner.
Villa end the match for second place with 30 points, just three behind Arsenal. But the lead fit reduce to two if Manchester City beat Sunderland later on Saturday.
TPB VERDICT
One thing wey people don always talk about Arteta be him struggle during the most crucial periods of the season — and this loss go only ginger those critics again.
Yes, Arsenal still dey top, but history no dey favour them. When title race pressure enter, dem dey shake. And fans know am.
Injury wahala dey worry their defence, but truth be say the opening goal no get anything to do with Saliba or Gabriel absence — na pure switching off.
For Unai Emery and him boys, e don reach time make people begin call Villa title contenders. Seven straight wins no be beans. The comeback from their rough start this season dey impressive, and Champions League football dey very possible the way dem dey play.
The only downside today be Watkins. He see chances but no deliver. Still, with Buendia last-minute winner, Villa fans no go even reason am too much.
ASTON VILLA VS ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS
10th min: Ollie Watkins shot (Aston Villa)
Emi Martinez send long ball, McGinn flick am through, Watkins find space central inside box, but Raya deny am. That one suppose be 1-0.
22nd min: Eberechi Eze goal ruled out (Arsenal)
© Imago / Pro Sports Images
Saka latch onto loose ball inside box, square to Eze for simple tap-in, but linesman lift flag. Replays show Saka offside before the assist.
36th min: Matty Cash goal (Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal)
Pau Torres curl deep cross toward Watkins. Ball deflect reach Cash, and the right-back hit am low pass Raya legs. Sweet finish.
52nd min: Leandro Trossard goal (Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal)
Declan Rice win ball for Villa half, Saka deliver cross into danger zone, deflection carry am reach Trossard for left post. Easy finish.
90+5th min: Emiliano Buendia goal (Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal)
Morgan Rogers cross cause gbege inside Arsenal box. Plenty attempts, rebounds everywhere, but Buendia wait well and sweep the ball high into the middle of the net. Villa take all three points.
MAN OF THE MATCH – BOUBACAR KAMARA
© Imago / Sportsphoto
Kamara run midfield like landlord. He complete 40 of 43 passes (93%), win four out of seven duels, make six recoveries, and clear one dangerous attempt off the line. Full deserving of man of the match.
ASTON VILLA VS ARSENAL MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 47% – 53% Arsenal
Shots: Aston Villa 15 – 15 Arsenal
Shots on target: Aston Villa 6 – 9 Arsenal
Corners: Aston Villa 3 – 3 Arsenal
Fouls: Aston Villa 10 – 8 Arsenal
WHAT NEXT?
Aston Villa go travel Switzerland on Thursday for Europa League clash against Basel, before dem face West Ham on Sunday for Premier League.
Arsenal next stop na Belgium as dem face Club Brugge for Champions League on Wednesday, then dem return home for league match against Wolves on Saturday.
