Aston Villa 2–1 Arsenal: Buendía’s 90+5’ Winner Stuns League Leaders at Villa Park

Written by Swikblog Sports Desk

Aston Villa struck at the death through substitute Emi Buendía to edge past Premier League leaders Arsenal in a dramatic finish at Villa Park.

Villa arrived as the division’s in-form home side and showed exactly why. Arsenal, top of the table at kick-off, created the first clear opening when David Raya produced an excellent low save to deny Ollie Watkins from inside the penalty area on 10 minutes. It set the tone: the visitors saw plenty of the ball, but Villa always carried a threat on the counter.

The breakthrough came on 36 minutes. A deep cross from the left was not dealt with and Matty Cash arrived unmarked at the back post to thump his finish beyond Raya and send Villa Park wild. Arsenal wobbled, but gradually re-established control either side of half-time.

Mikel Arteta’s side found their response early in the second half. Sustained pressure finally told when a low ball into the six-yard box was scrambled across goal and Leandro Trossard reacted quickest to turn home from close range on 52 minutes. At 1–1, Arsenal began to dominate territory and possession, forcing Emiliano Martínez into a string of important saves.

Yet Villa always felt one pass away from a decisive moment. Maatsen flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal with no claret-and-blue shirt able to apply the finishing touch, and Rogers repeatedly found space between Arsenal’s tiring lines as the game became increasingly stretched.

Arteta turned to his bench, introducing Gabriel Martinelli and Lewis-Skelly in search of a late winner, while Unai Emery went even more aggressive – withdrawing right-back Cash for playmaker Emi Buendía and shuffling his midfield to keep Villa on the front foot.

Arsenal still had a huge chance in stoppage time when Declan Rice’s low cross found Madueke at the far post, but from a tight angle he could only smash into the side netting. It proved costly. Moments later, Villa produced the game’s defining act.

Deep into added time, another Villa attack caused chaos in the Arsenal box. The ball broke kindly and Buendía lashed a first-time finish beyond Raya in the 90+5th minute, the roar from the Holte End lifting the roof off Villa Park. There was barely time to restart before the final whistle confirmed a famous win.

For Arsenal, this is a bruising setback after another away performance in which dominance of the ball was not matched by ruthlessness in front of goal. For Villa, it is further evidence that Emery’s side belong in the conversation near the top of the table – and a reminder that Villa Park is once again one of the most intimidating venues in the league.

Aston villa scored late minutes goal vs arsenal 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/PXPwLO2m41 pic.twitter.com/WW1yOrsPIB

— Newton_madridista (@BigNewtonn) December 6, 2025