Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge faced a significant blow on January 18, 2025, as they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The match, which saw both teams show moments of brilliance, left Arsenal frustrated and six points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal appeared to be in control early on, with Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz putting them ahead. Martinelli’s goal came in the 35th minute after Leandro Trossard sent a cross into the box, which Martinelli latched onto and managed to push past Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, despite a last-ditch attempt to stop it.
Shortly after, Havertz doubled the lead in the 55th minute with a close-range header, following a clever pass from Trossard.
However, the match took a dramatic turn midway through the second half. Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, mounted a comeback with Youri Tielemans scoring his first Premier League goal of the season in the 60th minute.
Tielemans rose to meet a cross from Lucas Digne and scored with a diving header. Just moments later, Villa’s momentum nearly paid off again when Tielemans’ shot struck the post.
Arsenal’s defense began to wobble, and in the 68th minute, Ollie Watkins capitalized on a defensive mistake. Villa’s Matty Cash delivered a cross that was poorly cleared by Havertz, allowing Watkins to volley the ball into the roof of the net, leveling the score at 2-2. This goal, Watkins’ 10th of the season, severely dented Arsenal’s hopes of staying close to Liverpool at the top of the table.
Arsenal’s agony did not end there. In the closing moments, Mikel Merino thought he had scored the winner for Arsenal with a strike from outside the box. However, the goal was ruled out after a handball by Havertz in the build-up, leaving the home crowd in disbelief. To add to their frustration, Merino’s later effort struck the post, and Villa’s Martinez pulled off a spectacular save to deny Trossard’s rebound.
Despite a strong start, Arsenal’s failure to secure all three points left them trailing six points behind Liverpool, who had earlier sealed a 2-0 win over Brentford. With a game in hand on Arsenal, Liverpool are now in a commanding position as they continue to lead the Premier League.
