Arsenal 2 – 2 Aston Villa
Arsenal had a strong hold on the match after scoring two goals just before and after halftime. However, they couldn’t maintain their lead. Aston Villa bounced back brilliantly, leveling the score with two quick goals. Despite some great opportunities in the final moments, Mikel Arteta’s team couldn’t regain the lead.
Aston Villa made an incredible comeback, scoring two goals in eight minutes to secure a point.
The Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday ended in a 2-2 draw. Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the lead, but Youri Tielemans pulled one back for Villa, and Ollie Watkins scored the equalizer.
This marks Arsenal’s second point drop in their last three matches, a setback that significantly impacts their title race. With 12 wins and 8 draws from 22 games, they sit second with 44 points.
Meanwhile, Liverpool moved to the top after their 2-0 win over Brentford, with 50 points from 21 matches.
Arsenal dominated possession and attack for most of the match. In the 35th minute, they finally broke the deadlock. Leandro Trossard’s pass from the left byline found Martinelli, who shot toward goal. The goalkeeper saved it, but the ball had already crossed the line.
After losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup last week and facing heavy criticism for missing a penalty in the shootout, Havertz responded well. In the 55th minute, he doubled Arsenal’s lead with a volley from Trossard’s cross into the six-yard box.
That marked Havertz’s 13th goal of the season in all competitions for Arsenal.
However, Villa responded superbly. Their relentless play quickly wiped out Arsenal’s two-goal advantage.
In the 60th minute, Tielemans dived to head in a cross from Lucas Digne, reducing the deficit. Villa almost equalized immediately, but Tielemans’ shot hit the post.
The equalizer came in the 68th minute when Matt Cash crossed the ball for Ollie Watkins, who finished with a stunning volley to make it 2-2. This was Watkins’ 10th goal in the league, the highest by any Villa player this season.
Arsenal’s confidence took a hit after conceding two goals in such a short span. They struggled to create clear chances. In the 87th minute, Mikel Merino’s shot found the target, but VAR ruled out the goal after it hit Havertz’s hand.
In added time, Arsenal’s misfortune continued. Merino’s shot hit the post, and Trossard’s follow-up was blocked by the goalkeeper, leaving the hosts frustrated as they left the pitch.
Aston Villa’s impressive fightback earned them a well-deserved point, and with 36 points from 22 matches, they remain in seventh place.
