Emiliano Buendía scored with virtually the last kick of the game to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory for Aston Villa over Premier League leaders Arsenal at Villa Park. The result blows the title race wide open, as Villa climbed to third in the table.
The drama unfolded in the fifth minute of stoppage time. David Raya saved Youri Tielemans's close-range effort before Buendía's initial shot was blocked. The ball fell to Boubacar Kamara, who swept it to Buendía, and the Argentine curled a first-time finish into the corner past a sea of defenders.
Villa had taken a first-half lead through Matty Cash, who volleyed home after a deflection off Jurriën Timber. Declan Rice had earlier blocked a Cash shot, but the right-back made no mistake second time around, celebrating with his trademark golf swing.
Arsenal equalised ten minutes into the second half through Leandro Trossard. Bukayo Saka's cross brushed Emiliano Martínez's glove, and Trossard lashed home from close range. The visitors pushed for a winner, but Martínez denied Martin Ødegaard before the late twist.
The victory is Villa's ninth in ten league matches and extends their impressive home form, having also beaten Manchester City. For Arsenal, it is a first defeat since August, with Mikel Arteta's side now looking over their shoulders in the title race.
