New Delhi: Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead and dropped two crucial points in the Premier League title race with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners appeared poised to claim all three points until a spirited Villa comeback, led by Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins, ensured a share of the spoils. Liverpool won their game late which made it important for the Gunners to match their result but failure to do so has costed them once again this season.
The hosts started brightly, with Gabriel Martinelli breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute. The Brazilian capitalized on poor defending by Villa left-back Ian Maatsen, bundling home Leandro Trossard’s inviting cross. Arsenal dominated possession and looked in control, keeping Villa pinned back for large portions of the first half. The Gunners went in at the break with a slender lead in hand but didn’t look much concerned.
Villa came back after the break with determination as they chalked off Maatsen for Lucas Digne at half time. However, it was Arsenal that struck first in the second half as well as their dominance paid off again ten minutes into the second half when Trossard turned provider once more. The Belgian whipped in a precise cross for Kai Havertz, who calmly finished from close range to score his 13th goal of the season.
At 2-0, Arsenal seemed well on their way to erasing the memory of last season’s home defeat to Villa, which was their last league loss at the Emirates. However, Aston Villa had other plans as the visitors pulled one back on the hour mark when Youri Tielemans’ diving header met Digne’s placed cross. The goal shifted the momentum, and Villa capitalized on their newfound confidence just eight minutes later to get the score back level.
A THRILLER between Arsenal and Aston Villa 😤#ARSAVL pic.twitter.com/R5RcSwAUGJ
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 18, 2025
Watkins, who has proven a constant threat against Arsenal in recent years, latched onto a similar delivery, this time from the other flank, by Matty Cash and volleyed past David Raya to level the score. With the score at 2-2, the game opened up, and both teams pushed for a winner. Arsenal thought they had found it in the 89th minute when Mikel Merino’s deflected effort found its way into the net via Havertz.
The Emirates erupted in celebration, but the joy was short-lived as VAR ruled the goal out for handball by Havertz, leaving Arsenal frustrated. The result is a significant setback for Mikel Arteta’s side, who remain six points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played a game more than the Reds. Victory would have closed the gap to four points and maintained pressure on Arne Slot’s men at the top of the table.
For Villa, the point was a testament to their resilience and quality. Unai Emery’s side moved up to seventh in the table, just two points shy of fourth-placed Newcastle in the race for the final Champions League spot. Villa’s comeback highlighted their growing strength under Emery and demonstrated that they can challenge the Premier League’s top sides. While it didn’t end in a win, Unai Emery would have fond memories of his return to the Emirates this season as well.
Player of the Match
Leandro Trossard’s game by numbers vs. Villa:
7 crosses
6 shots
3 chances created
2 dribbles
2 big chances created
2 shots on target
2 assistsCould have won it at the end… 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/wfr0RPxuJu
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 18, 2025
Belgian International Leandro Trossard was quite easily the best player on the pitch tonight and was at the forefront of every attack that the Gunners created. The 30-year-old has been a quality player for the Gunners since joining them and once again proved his worth to Mikel Arteta’s side with a solid display against Aston Villa. He stepped up tonight as well in the absence of Bukayo Saka and was a worthy candidate of being the best player of the game.
The Belgian was responsible for both goals that Arsenal scored tonight as he assisted both of Arsenal’s goals. He inch perfect crosses to both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli made him only the second player to get two assists from crosses, in the same game this season. In addition to the assists, he created three chances for the Gunners, more than anyone else on the field tonight.
He was visible everywhere as indicated by the 60 touches of the ball that he garnered, five of those coming in the opposition penalty box. His vision was key to Arsenal’s attack as he delivered six passes into the final third and was only dispossesses twice in the entire game. He almost won the game in the dying minutes of the match as well, only for former Arsenal goalkeeper, Emi Martinez to deny him with a smart save.
Mikel Arteta’s side failed to match league leaders Liverpool’s result against Aston Villa at home as they surrendered a two-goal lead against Unai Emery’s men to lose ground in the Premier League title race. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
