EPL: Aston Villa end Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run in 2-1 win

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Villa's Olivia Watkins contend for ball at Villa Park

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Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten Premier League run was shattered in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday as Aston Villa snatched a 2–1 victory with the last kick of the game.

Emilio Buendia striking at the death to hand the hosts a fifth straight win, a post-match report on the Arsenal website stated.

What had been a furious, end-to-end top-of-the-table clash was seconds away from ending level before chaos in the Arsenal box gifted Villa their winner.

After David Raya produced yet another sharp stop in a frantic goalmouth scramble, the loose ball fell kindly for Buendia, who “managed to find the net after a goalmouth scramble” to send Villa Park into delirium and condemn Arsenal to their first defeat since August.

The late twist came after Arsenal had hauled themselves back into the match through Leandro Trossard, who continued his inspired scoring run.

Introduced at halftime, the Belgian struck for the third consecutive league game, poking in after Emiliano Martínez parried a Bukayo Saka effort.

It marked his “50th Premier League goal and, more importantly, restored parity.”

Villa had led at the interval thanks to Matty Cash, who struck in the 36th minute after Pau Torres’ cross deflected off Jurrien Timber and dropped perfectly at the far post, where Cash “thumped between Raya’s legs and handed the hosts the lead.”

Arsenal carved out chances of their own but found former Gunner Martínez in superb form. The goalkeeper pushed away a fierce Saka drive, denied Martin Ødegaard from close range and produced a crucial fingertip stop to turn an Ødegaard curler over the bar in the second half.

Mikel Arteta’s halftime adjustments briefly tilted momentum Arsenal’s way. Viktor Gyökeres and Trossard entered the fray, with Trossard almost scoring instantly before finally leveling moments later.

But Villa surged again, with Raya called into action to deny Ollie Watkins repeatedly as the hosts pressed for a winner. Substitute Donyell Malen went close, dragging just wide, before Noni Madueke hit the side-netting during a tense stoppage time.

Then came the decisive moment. With virtually the final touch, Buendia capitalized after Arsenal failed to clear, sealing a dramatic win for Unai Emery’s in-form side.

Arsenal must regroup quickly. They travel to Club Brugge on Wednesday for a Champions League showdown before returning to league action next Saturday at home to Wolves. A trip to Everton follows on December 20.

Tosin, with over six years' experience, conducts incisive interviews, pens engaging features, subedits and delivers impactful stories for the digital sphere.

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