Arsenal vs Aston Villa LIVE: Result from the Emirates as visitors come from 2-0 down to draw
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa: Visitors come from two goals down to grab a result in entertaining clash
Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 against Aston Villa on Saturday night, as the Gunners once again lost ground to Liverpool in the title race.
The hosts started the match quickly, squandering chances early on, but they were deservedly ahead at the break as Gabriel Martinelli bundled in Leandro Trossard’s cross at the back post.
The second half started in a similar fashion, and the pressure paid off after another excellent cross from Trossard allowed Kai Havertz to volley in for 2-0.
Arsenal looked like strolling towards a straightforward win at that point, only to fall asleep and allow Lucas Digne to swing in a brilliant cross that Youri Tielemans dived to head in.
Villa’s pressure then told as Ollie Watkins volleyed in Matty Cash’s cross to equalise late on.
There was still room for more drama at the Emirates as Mikel Merino’s effort was disallowed after hitting Havertz’s hand on the way in, but the points were shared in a match that could prove pivotal in the title race.
Follow all of the latest from the Emirates Stadium in our live blog below:
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
81 min: Cash loses it deep into his own half but Merino can’t capitalise, before Trossard sees his cross headed away.
Arsenal come again but Odegaard sees his shot blocked.
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
79 min: It’s not a bad ball from Rice, but Gabriel can’t generate enough power on the header.
Now Villa make a sub, as Jhon Duran replaces Watkins.
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
77 min: No subs yet for Arsenal, which is perhaps more of a telling sign about what Arteta thinks of his bench.
Kamara is booked for a foul near halfway, and Arsenal will have the chance to swing in a ball from deep.
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
76 min: Great play again from Tielemans to skip through a challenge and start the counter, but it’s wasted as Cash stumbles and loses possession on the edge of the box.
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
74 min: Trossard lays it off to Rice on the edge of the box and the midfielder lines up a shot, eventually driving it wide of the far post.
Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
72 min: It’s hectic match at the Emirates now, though it was calmed down by a couple of breaks in play for treatment.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa
68 min: GOAL! Villa are level!
It’s brilliant from Watkins too. The free-kick is re-worked by Villa and Cash swings in a cross from the right. It looks like Havertz might deal with it but it goes over his head to Watkins, who reacts so quickly to side-foot a brilliant volley over Raya into the roof of the net!
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
67 min: Trossard is the next player in the book as he drags down Watkins. Villa still look dangerous on the counter.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
65 min: A decent chance there for the hosts as the chipped ball is played over to Martinelli, but he can only fire over on the volley.
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