Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal: Emi Buendia dealt a blow to Arsenal’s title bid while lifting Unai Emery’s Aston Villa into contention in their final Premier League game.
Arsenal forced a ferocious attack against high-scoring Aston Villa on Saturday, but were stunned at the death and it all went to waste. Leandro Trossard came on as a substitute to cancel out Matty Cash’s first-half opener, but Villa substitute Emi Buendia scored the winner just before second-half stoppage time.
At kickoff, the difference between the two teams was six points, but Cash’s goal threatened to cut the gap to three. After Trossard’s equalizing goal, both teams had chances for a late win, but Buendia kept his cool and sealed the match with seconds remaining.
The hosts missed a golden chance to take the lead early on. Ollie Watkins showed great strength and composure to keep the attention of two Arsenal defenders at bay, but he was unable to find the precision he needed to shoot and allowed a save from David Raya.
In the early stages of the knockout, Arsenal were playing an open game between high flyers, but Bukayo Saka’s header went wide, squandering a big chance. The visitors appeared to have taken the lead midway through the first half, but Saka rolled the ball offside and Ebere Eze slotted it home.
However, as half-time approached, it was Villa who broke the deadlock. Matty Cash had already gone close once before ghosting in at the back post, using Raya’s feet to convert the shot.
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Arsenal returned to the bench at half-time, bringing on Victor Goqueres and Trossard for Mikel Merino and Eze. And it took the Belgian less than 10 minutes to find the leveler after an earlier witness.
However, Villa still had chances and after a high turnover, Boubacar Camara almost punished them, with only two defenders concentrating on the Frenchman. Watkins also had his second big chance of the match, but Raya again matched his effort.
Donyell Malen came on from the home bench against his old club and came desperately close to winning the game with a low shot across the face of goal, but Jadon Sancho’s cross was almost touched into his own goal by Julian Timber.
But in the end, Buendia made the final decision. Here are the Mirror Football talking points from a frenetic lunchtime game at Villa Park.
1. Substitutions benefit both sides
It’s unusual to see Mikel Arteta make two changes at half-time, but he knew something had to change. And considering how quickly Trossard has proven his authority in the game, it’s hard to argue with him.
The Belgian was on target almost immediately and was forced to make a stop by Emi Martinez after the Villa keeper didn’t get enough of Arsenal’s cross from the right. He didn’t have to wait long for his next chance and this time he made no mistake from close range.
Gökeres was a little less impactful upon his arrival in the same double substitution, as he is still trying to get back into form after his injury. And it was one of Villa’s subs who ended up taking on the biggest role.
2. Arsenal are asleep at the back
Arsenal were without their first-choice centre-back for the game against Villa Park, with substitute Cristian Mosquera also absent. However, it was the left-back position that was exposed by Villa’s opening goal.
Neither Riccardo Calafioli nor left winger Ebele Eze monitored Cash. Cash benefited from a deflected cross, but there was still too much space for Raya to shoot. It’s rare to see Arsenal conceding any goals this season, but especially against attacks like this.
The introduction of Trossard at half-time probably provided a secondary impact as well as a goal threat. The Belgian’s direct attacking play and fresh legs might have been thought to be the key to stopping Cash feeling able to bomb forward as usual.
3. Rice shows his importance.
Arsenal had always hoped that Declan Rice would be able to shake off the shock he suffered against Brentford, but nothing was certain until the squad was announced. Within the first 30 minutes of the match, he showed exactly why he is so valuable.
Cash was in acres of space after darting forward from right-back and looked like he had no choice but to pick a position. But he wasn’t counting on Rice, and the midfielder put his body on the line and sprinted to thwart the attack.
Rice showed some offensive ability late in the first half, but his lack of effort didn’t have enough pace to beat Emi Martinez. A hard run from midfield once again made it worthwhile for the equaliser, with Trossard finally getting the finishing touch on a shot from the former West Ham man, but in the end it didn’t matter thanks to Villa’s late winning goal.
4. Martinez hurts former employer
Arsenal were not the only side to put effort into their players’ fitness before kick-off. Emi Martinez was unable to play in the come-from-behind win over Brighton at Villa in midweek, but was able to return to play against his former club.
The Argentina international was called on within the first 10 minutes and was saved by Martin Odegaard. A few minutes later, as Arsenal continued to ask questions, he darted to his left to keep Bukayo Saka’s shot out of range.
He also calmly saved from Ben White at the end of the first half and was where he should have been. But the best was yet to come, with a fingertip save needed to tip Martin Odegaard’s shot over the bar.
5. The secret of Villa’s success
Cash’s goal was Villa’s third of the season, following their two goals in Poland in September. This was enough to make him the second-highest scorer for Unai Emery’s side in the league this season, until Buendia added a fourth late on.
Nine players have found the back of the net for Villa already this season. This may help explain why they were able to bounce back from a slow start that posed a real threat.
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