🔗 Share this article Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendía Shocks Leaders Arsenal with Last-Gasp Decider. Mikel Arteta had spoken about the major threats that awaited his league-leading Arsenal side at Villa Park. Aston Villa have in the past inflicted significant blows to the Gunners' championship ambitions. Just a short time ago, Unai Emery's team rallied from two goals behind to snatch a draw that hurt Arsenal's chase. Furthermore, two seasons earlier, Villa completed a pair of victories over Arsenal, with a last-minute away win playing a key role in paving the way for the title to Manchester City. A Clash of In-Form Sides Therefore, Arteta and his squad were fully aware of the task of unlocking a Villa side riding an impressive run of results, having won twelve victories from their previous fourteen outings across all competitions. Emery, conversely, understood the scale of overcoming an Arsenal team that had won seventeen of their twenty-one fixtures this season and had strengthened their squad in the off-season. Even missing key defender Cristhian Mosquera, the backline featuring Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapié did not look lacking in ability. The Scene was Set for a Thrilling Conclusion. Cash Blasts Villa Ahead Villa grabbed a opening period advantage through an ever more reliable outlet: full-back Matty Cash. 8 minutes after Declan Rice had desperately blocked a powerful Cash effort, the Villa defender drove another shot through the legs of goalkeeper David Raya. The goal came after Timber deflected a Pau Torres cross. Emery celebrated with clenched fists as the entire Villa team swarmed to congratulate Cash in the corner for his trademark golf-swing gesture. Arsenal Respond After the Break Arteta acted swiftly, bringing on attackers Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard at halftime. The change paid off quickly. Trossard initially blazed a volley just wide, before sparking raucous celebrations in the away section minutes later. After Rice won possession in midfield and Martin Ødegaard found the overlapping Bukayo Saka, a scramble in the box ensued. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez could only push Saka's cross, leaving Trossard to slam the loose ball into the net from close range. A Frenetic Finale and Late Heroics The game raced at a frantic tempo. Former Arsenal player Donyell Malen, now a Villa substitute, fired a shot wide. At the other end, Martínez touched a dipping Ødegaard effort. Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, the action reached its peak in the 94th minute. In a hectic goalmouth melee, replacement Emiliano Buendía hauled himself up to force the ball over the line, sending Villa Park into utter bedlam. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Martínez raced to celebrate with the throbbing huddle of jubilant Villa players near the center line. Title Race Firmly On This result propels Aston Villa firmly into the thick of the title chase. The electrifying atmosphere following Buendía's stoppage-time winner underscored its importance. The contest between the top two teams, now separated by just 3 points, delivered on its hype as a potential season-defining encounter.