Arsenal’s hope of extending their lead in the league title race were destroyed early today when they lost 2-1 at Villa Park in the opening fixture of the English Premier League. Arteta’s men had enjoyed the most away win at Villa Park than they have at any other Premier League side, but today, Unai Emery’s men were fully prepared having won six games in a row across all competitions.
An early goal from cash set the ball rolling for the hosts, who maintained their lead till the halftime. However, a few minutes into the second period, Arsenal leveled through Trossard. The game remained level till Buendia’s deciding goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Match Overview
The game kicked off at 13:30 with the visitors showing real intent as Martin Ødegaard was caught offside. Shortly afterwards, Ødegaard made another effort from outside the box but the goalkeeper was able to make a save. Villa’s reply came a minute later through Ollie Watkins who made a left footed effort from the center of the box, but Rays was there to make a save.
Bukayo Saka then followed up with three successive attempts, the first was saved by Emiliano Martínez, the second missed to the right, and finally the third was blocked. Both sides then struggled to gain control of the game but Villa were lucky to get the lead in the 35th minute through Matty Cash who swung right footed shot from a difficult angle at the right side into the net. The first ended with the hosts sustaining the scoreline at 1-0.
The second period resumed with Arsenal making two substitutions as Eze and Merino gave way for Trossard and Gyökeres. The former immediately made his presence felt on the left wing first by winning a freekick, and again by making a right footed attempt from the left side of the box which was saved by Martínez at the bottom left corner.
Two minutes after missing an effort from the left side of the area to the right, Leandro Trossard was able to find the leveler with a right footed strike from the left side of the six yard. Ox into the center of the goal.
The now stunned Villa registered a weak attempt at goal in a bid to make a reply two minutes after the leveler as Ollie Watkins’ right footed effort from center of the box was blocked. The game then continued with building momentum as both sides tried to get the decisive goal with Calafiori and Saka getting booked for bad fouls.
All indications pointed at a stalemate at fulltime only for Arsenal to concede over a terrible defense line in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Emiliano Buendia forced an assist from Boubacar Kamars, with a right footed strike from the center of the box into the high center of the goal.
This result puts Aston Villa in second place with only three points between them and league leaders, Arsenal after 15 premier league games this season.
Upcoming Fixtures
Aston Villa:
Bale vs Aston Villa – Thur, 11 December 21:00
West Ham vs Aston Villa – Sun, 14 December 15:00
Arsenal:
Club Brugge vs Arsenal – Wed, 10 December 21:00
Arsenal vs Wolves – Sat, 13 December 21:00
