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 2-1 Aston Villa
62 min: CLOSE! Oh, so close!
Villa get on the attack straight away and it bounces out to Tielemans on the edge of the box – he cannons an effort off the post!
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
60 min: GOAL! Another great goal from nowhere!
It’s so simple too, as Digne picks up the ball on the left and swings in a lovely cross to the near post. Tielemans has made the run between the defenders and dives to head it low past Raya! Game on.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
59 min: Villa have been on the attack since the goal but Arsenal have all the control now, though Martinelli can’t make the most of a promising counter-attack opportunity.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
55 min: GOAL! Out of nowhere, the Gunners have doubled the lead!
It’s more brilliant work from Trossard, who twists and turns to create space for the cross and fizzes in a low ball straight to Havertz, who volleys in at the near post!
The shot took a deflection off Martinez as he tried to save it, and nestled in the far corner!
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
51 min: The first set-piece is headed behind, so Arsenal come again. The ball in is cleared and falls to Trossard, whose volley is then blocked.
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
49 min: So close to a second for the hosts as Trossard pokes in a pass to Lewis-Skelly, who fires in a cross that Digne clears for a corner.
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
47 min: An early free-kick from Arsenal, on the left wing around 10 yards from the box.
Odegaard swings it in and it’s an inviting ball, but Havertz heads over from six yards.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
Back underway in the capital as the hosts get us started.
Maatsen does indeed make way for Digne.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
The teams are emerging from the tunnel again at the Emirates. Lucas Digne was warming up at half-time, so you’d assume he’ll come on for Maatsen.
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
Another decent half for the neutral at the Emirates, with chances for both sides and a good goal to give Arsenal the lead.
The hosts have been deserving of their lead too, limiting Villa to counter-attacking chances.
The visitors have performed to a decent level, but they haven’t had the final touch in attack – they’ve shown that they can hurt Arsenal on the counter though, if the Gunners give up chances.
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