Arsenal Fall 1-2 to In-Form Aston Villa as Buendía’s Dramatic Stoppage-Time Winner Ends 19-Match Unbeaten Run

Analysis by Hikaru Sakamoto

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Arsenal Suffer First Defeat in 19 Matches as Buendía’s Stoppage-Time Strike Lifts Aston Villa to 2–1 Win

Premier League leaders Arsenal saw their 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end on Saturday, December 6, falling 2–1 to an in-form Aston Villa side thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Emi Buendía. The victory moves Villa within three points of the Gunners.

■ Lineups & Pre-Match Context

Arsenal entered the match with just one defeat all season, pushing toward their first league title since the Invincibles campaign of 2003–04.
However, a congested schedule has taken its toll, with defensive pillars William Saliba and Gabriel both unavailable. Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapié formed the makeshift center-back pairing, while Ødegaard, Saka, Eze, Merino, and the recently-doubtful Declan Rice all started.

Villa, sitting third and riding a four-match winning streak, welcomed Arsenal to a packed Villa Park with confidence.

■ First Half: Villa Strike First Through Cash

Both sides opened aggressively, trading possession and creating early chances.
Arsenal threatened first through Ødegaard and Saka, while Villa responded with a strong effort from Ollie Watkins, denied only by a superb stop from David Raya.

In the 36th minute, the breakthrough arrived. Pau Torres delivered a cross from the left, a deflection sent the ball to the far post, and Matty Cash powered home a falling volley to give Villa a deserved 1–0 lead.

Arsenal pushed back late in the half, but Ben White’s attempt was saved by Emiliano Martínez, and the Gunners went into halftime trailing.

■ Second Half: Trossard Sparks Arsenal Comeback

Manager Mikel Arteta made bold changes at the break, bringing on Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyökeres for Eze and Merino.

The adjustments paid off quickly.

After several early chances, Arsenal equalized in the 53rd minute.
Bukayo Saka drove into the box and fired a low cross that deflected off a defender, falling perfectly for Trossard, who tapped in to make it 1–1.

Both teams then exchanged big opportunities:

• Watkins forced another strong save from Raya
• Ødegaard’s long-range effort was tipped wide by Martínez

The match intensified with end-to-end transitions and heroic defending on both sides.

■ Stoppage-Time Drama: Buendía Wins It

Arsenal introduced Madueke, Lewis-Skelly, and Martinelli in the closing stages, while Villa brought on Buendía and Lindelöf.

Villa carried the momentum late, pushing the Gunners deep into their own box.

Then, in stoppage time, chaos broke loose.

A crowded scramble inside the area saw the ball drop perfectly for Emi Buendía, who smashed home the decisive goal to erupt Villa Park.
Arsenal had no time to respond, and the home side secured a massive 2–1 victory.

■ Final Score: Aston Villa 2–1 Arsenal

• Aston Villa: Cash (36′), Buendía (90’+)
• Arsenal: Trossard (53′)

The defeat is Arsenal’s first since late August, ending a 19-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Villa, now winners of five straight, move to second place, closing the gap behind Arsenal to three points.

score
Aston Villa 2–1 Arsenal

scorers
36’ Matty Cash (AVL)
53’ Leandro Trossard (ARS)
90+’ Emiliano Buendía (AVL)

The Bigger Picture

This defeat wasn’t shocking because it ended a 19-match unbeaten run. It was shocking because it unfolded in exactly the way Arsenal supporters feared once the context was clear. No William Saliba. No Gabriel. A makeshift centre-back pairing asked to survive sustained pressure at Villa Park, against an Aston Villa side that looked sharper, fresher, and better drilled in the decisive moments.

Supporters aren’t arguing about luck or refereeing. They’re pointing to concrete moments and clear causes. Piero Hincapié’s decision to carry the ball instead of clearing it. A midfield that ran out of legs. The absence of defensive chemistry that Saliba and Gabriel normally provide. When Emi Buendía entered the match, many already sensed where it was heading.

Villa’s structure, their movement around Ollie Watkins, and Unai Emery’s ability to tilt tight games late were all acknowledged. Arsenal fought, equalised through Leandro Trossard, and showed resolve—but control slipped when it mattered most. This wasn’t chaos. It was erosion.

Fan Reactions

• I still can’t process what I just saw. That ending was a shock.
• It genuinely felt like the exact moment everything slipped away.
• No way that actually happened. Still unreal.
• If Hincapié just clears it forward there, the entire outcome changes.
• The squad looked completely exhausted by the end.
• Right now, a title push feels very far away.
• Even as an Arsenal fan, you have to admit that finish was incredible.
• This always happens against Emery. He finds a way again.
• Hincapié really needed to handle that moment better.
• Another late goal conceded — how many points have gone like this?
• Is this the start of another December dip? Please not again.
• I still don’t understand why he tried to carry the ball instead of clearing it.
• Villa’s attacking structure was impressive — quick passes, constant movement.
• If there was one place we were likely to lose, it was here. Still disappointing.
• Once Buendía came on, I had a bad feeling.
• With how the match played out, the result makes sense.
• That defeat hurts. The title still feels distant.
• Small lapses keep costing us — first Mosquera, now Hincapié.
• Not sure how patient Arteta can afford to be.
• A draw would’ve felt fair, but the margins caught up with us.
• Saliba and Gabriel were badly missed today.
• They fought hard, but one wrong decision changed everything.
• The midfield was completely spent.
• Once Malen got the ball, danger was obvious.
• We were far too open in midfield.
• If Trossard was struggling physically, maybe the change should’ve come sooner.
• This league always delivers drama. At least the title race stays interesting.
• That heavy touch at the end turned everything into a disaster.
• Conceding that late away at Villa — this is why we fall short.
• With injured centre-backs, the drop-off was inevitable.
• A simple long clearance could’ve saved the match.
• Hincapié isn’t really a natural CB in a back four.
• It’s surprising Arteta didn’t use last season’s Calafiori setup.
• The entire back line looked shaky.
• Days like this show how vital Saliba and Gabriel are.
• They were running on fumes by the end.
• Brutal finish after holding on for so long.
• A draw at Chelsea and now this — does this look like a title-winning team?
• To be fair, both opponents played well.
• The pressure late on was intense.
• Everyone shares responsibility for that ending.
• Maybe starting Merino and Eze together wasn’t ideal.
• Gyökeres and Trossard were just returning from injury.
• CB partnerships need time — chemistry doesn’t appear overnight.
• Losing this way hurts, but it’s not surprising.
• It’s unfair to put everything on Hincapié.
• The midfield offered very little protection.
• With that pressure, mistakes were bound to happen.
• If City win, the gap drops to two points.
• We spent big in the summer — expectations are high.
• If the league slips again, questions will follow.
• We need a massive run in the second half.
• Zubimendi, Rice, and Ødegaard didn’t click tonight.
• Eze and Ødegaard don’t seem to coexist smoothly.
• Ødegaard’s movement doesn’t look the same this season.
• If Watkins takes those early chances, it’s over by halftime.
• Gyökeres battled physically all night.
• He contributed, just not in the way many expected.
• Once Havertz returns, the hierarchy probably resets.
• Villa are genuinely strong right now.
• Their midfield control was excellent.
• Eze on the wing just doesn’t work.
• Rice was clearly exhausted by the end.
• It’s always tough against Emery’s Villa.
• We can’t play Eze and Ødegaard together.
• Ødegaard deeper might work, but Zubimendi fits that role better.
• Given the circumstances, the loss was understandable.
• Losing both Gabriel and Saliba at once is huge.
• Emery always seems extra motivated against us.
• Beating Arsenal probably means a lot to him.
• Honestly, we were outplayed.
• A draw would’ve flattered us.
• Each dropped match makes sense when you look closely.
• Calafiori looked absolutely spent.
• Without Gabriel, our set-piece threat disappears.
• Ødegaard’s pass to Saka was outstanding.
• That Saka–Ødegaard connection is still special.
• If your top scorer has four goals, winning the league is hard.
• Arteta showed composure with his substitutions.
• Everything changed once Gabriel went off.
• Without a stable defense, results unravel quickly.
• Who’s even available for the Champions League now?

What Remains（English・Rewritten）

What remains from this match is a shared understanding of why it was lost. Supporters repeatedly point to the same factors. Without Saliba and Gabriel, Arsenal’s back line lacked coordination. Multiple comments note that a simple long clearance in stoppage time could have prevented the decisive goal. Instead, one heavy touch and a failed carry forward turned sustained pressure into a loss.

Fatigue is another constant theme. Fans describe a midfield that “looked completely spent,” with Rice unable to win late duels and little protection offered to the centre-backs. The pairing of Merino and Eze is questioned, as is the lack of balance when Ødegaard and Eze play together. Several comments also highlight that Villa’s midfield and movement around Watkins were sharper throughout.

At the same time, supporters identify what still functioned. Trossard’s equaliser justified his introduction. Ødegaard’s pass to Saka showed that key attacking connections remain intact. The conclusion is not emotional collapse, but recognition: Arsenal are competitive, but without their established centre-back partnership and with tired legs in midfield, margins disappear quickly. This defeat clarified limits rather than changing expectations.

Source:
TNT SPORTS
https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/premier-league/2025-2026/live-aston-villa-arsenal_mtc1602246/live-commentary.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com