Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s longest unbeaten run at Arsenal ended at the hands of Unai Emery, the man he replaced.
The former Gunners boss made sure his own 2018 record lived to fight another day, as Aston Villa snatched a dramatic 2 to 1 victory that knocked Arsenal off stride and ignited Villa Park.
Emiliano Buendia delivered a stunning 95th-minute winner to hand Arsenal only their second Premier League defeat of the campaign.
Villa Park erupted when Buendia, on the pitch for barely three minutes, found the top corner after Arsenal failed to clear a late attack. It was a ruthless conclusion to an encounter that had threatened to drift towards a draw.
The match began at pace. Martin Odegaard forced Emiliano Martinez into an early intervention before David Raya matched him at the other end, denying Ollie Watkins from close range.
Villa struck first in the 36th minute. Matty Cash darted past Eberechi Eze and drove a fierce finish through Raya’s legs, rewarding Unai Emery’s side for their growing confidence.
Mikel Arteta reacted swiftly, introducing Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard in search of momentum. The change paid off almost immediately when Bukayo Saka’s right-wing delivery was pushed only as far as Trossard, who forced the ball over the line to level the contest.
The second half was stretched and edgy. Watkins sent a left-footed effort narrowly wide, while Martinez needed his fingertips to turn Odegaard’s long-range strike over the bar. Donyell Malen then wasted a clear opening, dragging wide when a measured finish was required.
Just as the match seemed destined for stalemate, Villa surged again. Raya foiled Youri Tielemans at point-blank range, yet Arsenal could not survive the rebound. The loose ball broke to Buendia, who composed himself before curling in a superb late winner.
