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Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes took another blow as they blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa.
The Gunners were in command for the best of an hour thanks to Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz’s goals either side of half-time but Villa scored twice in eight minutes to level the game.
Youri Tielemans headed home moments after Havertz’s goal before Watkins scored his sixth career goal against Arsenal put the visitors back in the game.
Mikel Merino thought he had scored the winner with five minutes to play but the goal was ruled out by VAr after striking Havertz’s hand on the way through.
The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after the Reds snatched a 2-0 win late on aty Brentford, with Villa climbing above Manchester City into seventh.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Arsenal began on the front foot but it was Villa who proved more of a threat on the counter attack with Watkins stretching the centre-backs at every opportunity.
Hearts were in collective mouths when Thomas Partey threw the ball straight to the Villa striker, who couldn’t find the net with his attempt to lob David Raya.
But the Gunners were the ones celebrating moments later when Martinelli provided the final touch to Leandro Trossard’s cross, with the ball just crossing the line after Emiliano Martinez had done well to parry the initial shot.
Gabriel Martinelli gets on the end of Leandro Trossard’s cross to open the scoring in North London! 💥 pic.twitter.com/HOhHh9cxJK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
The hosts continued to dictate proceedings after the break and asserted full control in the 55th minute when Trossard once again provided the ball from the left for Havertz to find the net despite the best efforts of Martinez in the Villa goal.
Leandro Trossard finds Kai Havertz in the box who doubles Arsenal’s lead 🔴 pic.twitter.com/8Auy4yPEoH
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
Villa comeback stuns Arsenal
But Villa instantly responde as a brilliant Lucas Digne was headed home by Youri Tielemans but put the visitors right back in the game.
Youri Tielemans heads home from Lucas Digne’s cross to pull one back for Villa! 👀 pic.twitter.com/OliwVuSSdZ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
And the Belgian midfielder thought he had equalised moments later when he struck the post after another slick break involving Watkins and Jacob Ramsey.
But not long later, Villa were level as Matty Cash’s left-footed cross found Watkins who struck with a first-time volley and silence the Emirates.
What a finish from Ollie Watkins to equalise for Aston Villa at the Emirates 💫 pic.twitter.com/Km1ai7Od9A
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
Merino thought he had scored a huge winner for the title chasers but, much to the dismay of most inside the Emirates, the goal was right chalked off after the ball deflected off Havertz’s hand.
Shortly after, Emiliano Martinez produced two outstanding saves to deny Trossard and Merino as the game entered added time.
