The Gunners lose their two-goal lead as their title hopes suffer another setback
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes suffered another blow as they blew a two-goal lead to a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz either side of half-time, the Gunners were in command for most of the game, but Villa scored twice in eight minutes to level the game.
Youri Tielemans headed the ball shortly after Havertz’s goal before Watkins scored his sixth career goal against Arsenal to bring the visitors back into the game.
Mikel Merino thought he had scored the winner with five minutes to play, but the goal was ruled out by VAr after he hit Havertz through the hand on the way.
The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after the Reds secured a late 2-0 win against Brentford and Villa moved ahead of Manchester City into seventh place.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Arsenal started up front but it was Villa who proved more dangerous on the counter-attack with Watkins taxing the centre-backs at every opportunity.
Hearts beat collectively as Thomas Partey threw the ball straight to the Villa striker, who failed to reach the net with his attempt to lob David Raya.
But the Gunners were the ones celebrating moments later as Martinelli put the finishing touches to Leandro Trossard’s cross and the ball just crossed the line after Emiliano Martinez’s initial shot was well parried.
Gabriel Martinelli masters Leandro Trossard’s cross and opens the scoring in north London! 💥 pic.twitter.com/HOhHh9cxJK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
The hosts continued to dictate the game after the break and remained in full control in the 55th minute when Trossard again provided the ball from the left for Havertz, who found the ball in the Villa goal despite Martinez’s best efforts.
Leandro Trossard finds Kai Havertz in the penalty area who doubles Arsenal’s lead 🔴 pic.twitter.com/8Auy4yPEoH
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
Villa comeback stuns Arsenal
But Villa responded immediately as a brilliant Lucas Digne was headed home by Youri Tielemans but brought the visitors straight back into the game.
Youri Tielemans heads into the goal from a cross from Lucas Digne and pushes the ball back for Villa! 👀 pic.twitter.com/OliwVuSSdZ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
And the Belgian midfielder thought he had equalized shortly afterwards when he hit the post after another clever counterattack from Watkins and Jacob Ramsey.
But Villa equalized not long later when Matty Cash’s left-footed cross found Watkins, who struck with a first-time volley to silence the Emirates.
What a finish from Ollie Watkins, who equalized for Aston Villa at the Emirates 💫 pic.twitter.com/Km1ai7Od9A
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
Merino thought he had scored the decisive winner for the title chasers but, to the dismay of most at the Emirates, the goal was immediately canceled after the ball bounced off Havertz’s hand.
Shortly afterwards, Emiliano Martinez made two outstanding saves to deny Trossard and Merino as the game went into stoppage time.
