Buendia’s last-gasp winner sends Villa second as Arsenal slip in title race

Aston Villa delivered a dramatic stoppage-time victory to close within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, as Emi Buendia struck with virtually the final kick to seal a 2–1 win at Villa Park, Sport360NG reports.

Leandro Trossard’s 50th Premier League goal had looked set to rescue a point for Mikel Arteta’s side after Matty Cash fired Villa ahead, but Buendia’s 95th-minute finish capped a pulsating contest and lifted Unai Emery’s team into second place.

The loss ends Arsenal’s unbeaten league run stretching back to August, when they were beaten at Liverpool, and offers a significant boost to Villa’s increasingly credible title ambitions.

Villa’s Statement Win Fuels Rising Title Talk

The atmosphere inside Villa Park was electric as Buendia, who returned from a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and had been widely expected to leave, curled home the decisive goal after Arsenal failed to clear their lines.

The victory was Villa’s seventh in succession in all competitions and their ninth win in 10 Premier League matches. While questions remain over squad depth and ongoing financial-regulation constraints, Emery’s side continue to challenge expectations.

A draw might have been a fair outcome on balance, with both teams committed to winning rather than settling, but Villa’s late surge again highlighted the intensity and resilience Emery demands. Buendia’s resurgence embodies the broader collective spirit behind Villa’s rise: a group exceeding predictions and proving their staying power.

Arsenal Falter as Familiar Problems Reappear

Arsenal entered the match following a demanding run of fixtures and were dealt another setback before kick-off when defender Cristhian Mosquera was ruled out for six weeks. Jurrien Timber partnered at centre-back, with Ben White shifting to right-back.

The reshuffle reunited White, Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka down Arsenal’s right flank, a combination central to much of their attacking play in recent seasons. However, the adjustments elsewhere proved costly. Eberechi Eze, deployed on the left, switched off defensively in the buildup to Cash’s opener.

Arteta made changes at the break, withdrawing Eze and Mikel Merino. Trossard quickly rewarded the decision with the equaliser and remained one of Arsenal’s brightest performers.

Despite late pressure, including a superb save from former Arsenal keeper Emi Martínez to deny Ødegaard, the visitors lacked the defensive composure usually provided by absent centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel. Their absence told in the decisive moment, as Buendia capitalised on hesitant defending to win the match.

With six more games to navigate this month, Arteta will hope this defeat proves a brief stutter rather than the beginning of a sustained downturn, as Arsenal look to rebuild momentum in a tightening title race.