Argentine Emi Buendia has dealt Arsenal’s title bid a big blow while lifting Unai Emery’s Aston Villa into contention at the sharp end of the Premier League
Leandro Trossard came off the bench to cancel out Matty Cash’s first-half opener only for Villa sub Buendia to fire home a winner deep into stoppage-time
Six points separated the teams at kick-off, and that was in danger of coming down to three after Cash fired home. Both teams had chances for a late winner after Trossard’s leveller and there were just seconds left when Buendia kept a cool head to settle the game.
The hosts missed a golden early chance to take the lead. Ollie Watkins showed great strength and composure to hold off the attentions of two Arsenal defenders but couldn’t get the required accuracy on his shot and allowed David Raya to save.
Arsenal squandered a big chance of their own, with Bukayo Saka planting a header off-target, as the high-flyers played out an open game in the early knockings. The visitors thought they had the lead midway through the opening period, but Saka had strayed offside before rolling the ball across for Ebere Eze to tap home.
As half-time drew closer, though, it was Villa who broke the deadlock. Matty Cash had already gone close once before ghosting in at the back post to power an effort through the legs of Raya.
Arsenal looked to their bench at half-time, with Viktor Gyokeres and Trossard replacing Mikel Merino and Eze. And it took less that 10 minutes for the Belgian to find a leveller after an earlier sighter.
Villa still had their chances, though, with Boubacar Kamara almost punishing them after a high turnover only for two defenders to converge on the Frenchman. Watkins also had a second big chance of the game, but Raya was equal to his effort once again.
Donyell Malen came off the home bench against his former club and went desperately close to a winner when he flashed a low effort across the face of goal, while a Jadon Sancho cross from the other side was almost touched into his own net by Jurrien Timber.
Finally though, Buendia had the last word.
