Aston Villa stunned leaders Arsenal with a dramatic 2–1 win at Villa Park, Emiliano Buendía volleying home in the 95th minute to seal the victory.
Matty Cash opened the scoring before Leandro Trossard equalised for Arsenal in the second half, but Villa’s stoppage-time punch rewrote the title race.
This article gives a clear, step-by-step recap of the match, the starting lineups, tactical swings under Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, the implications for the Premier League table, viewing notes, and a short prediction recap for rematches.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal — the vital statline
Final score: Aston Villa 2 — 1 Arsenal (Matty Cash 37’; Leandro Trossard 53’; Emiliano Buendía 95’).
Venue: Villa Park. Attendance: 42,888. The win lifts Villa into the top tier of the title race and hands Arsenal their first league defeat in months.
Lineups — who started (confirmed)
Aston Villa (likely XI): Martinez; Cash, Torres, Konsa, Targett; McGinn, Luiz, Buendía; Watkins, Bailey, Digne (rotation noted).
Arsenal (likely XI): Raya; White, Timber, Saliba, Zinchenko; Rice, Ødegaard, Martinelli; Saka, Trossard, Eze. Official lineups published pre-kick by Sky Sports.
First half — Villa grow into the game
Villa started with high tempo and targeted Arsenal’s right channel repeatedly.
Matty Cash’s opener came from a set-piece run and a flick on that left David Raya exposed — smart finishing and timely runs rewarded Villa’s game plan.
Arsenal’s rhythm suffered from early turnovers and an inability to secure midfield control until late in the half.
Unai Emery’s side defended compactly, forced Arsenal wide, and won key duels that stifled Arteta’s pressing patterns.
Second half — Arsenal’s response and the Trossard equaliser
Arteta pushed for intensity after the break, introducing attacking adjustments that paid off.
Leandro Trossard connected with sustained pressure and a well-worked chance to level the match in the 53rd minute.
After the equaliser the game opened up; both sides had near misses and VAR looked at several tight moments.
Arsenal dominated possession but Villa remained a threat on transitions and set pieces.
The finish — chaos, scramble, and Buendía’s winner
In stoppage time a frantic penalty-area scramble produced a loose ball that Emiliano Buendía hammered home.
The late goal stood despite scrutiny and sent Villa Park into ecstasy, a decisive moment that lifts Villa’s momentum.
That moment underlined Villa’s belief and Arsenal’s struggle to clear dangerous situations under pressure.
Emi Buendía—introduced earlier—proved decisive as an impact substitute, a tactical masterstroke from Emery.
Tactical takeaways — what worked and what didn’t
Villa: disciplined pressing structure, numerical superiority in wide areas, and clinical finishing from full-back Cash.
Emery’s substitutions were measured; Buendía’s late arrival added creative flare and finishing instincts.
Arsenal: possession control but insufficient penetration in key areas and momentary lapses defending set-piece traffic.
Arteta will ask for better defensive organisation in late phases and more effective use of counters after losing such a late match.
Player grades — who stood out
Emiliano Buendía (Villa) — match winner and super-sub: 8/10 for impact and composure.
Matty Cash (Villa) — offensive threat from full-back and goal scorer: 7.5/10. Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) — composed equaliser: 7/10.
Goalkeepers played their part too: Emi Martínez brought aerial command for Villa, while David Raya made key saves but could not prevent the late scramble.
Overall, Villa’s bite in crucial moments trumped Arsenal’s longer spells of possession.
What this means for the Premier League race
The result tightens the title race and hands confidence to Unai Emery’s side as they chase the leaders.
Arsenal remain high in the table but now face pressure to respond quickly to maintain momentum and cushion any slip.
For Villa the win is a catalyst: top-four ambitions gain clarity and the psychological boost of beating the league leaders is significant.
Expect the upcoming fixtures to reflect a heated title phase with little margin for error for all contenders.
Where to watch — broadcast and streaming notes (U.S. & UK)
In the U.S. Premier League rights sit with NBC/Peacock and select matches appear on USA Network or NBC channels.
In the U.K. Sky Sports and TNT/Warner platforms carry live coverage and lineups; check local listings for replays and highlights.
For live lineups and minute-by-minute updates, Sky Sports’ match page and the Premier League official site provided pre-match confirmations.
Injury & selection notes — Buendía, Cash, and squad context
Emi Buendía’s impact off the bench reinforced his value after returning from earlier concerns; fitness and match minutes remain managed carefully.
Matty Cash’s form continued to be a problem for opponents as his forward runs and shooting added a reliable scoring vector.
Arsenal must monitor fitness across their attacking unit and maintain rotation to avoid late-season fatigue.
Arteta’s squad depth will be tested over the busy winter calendar with Champions League and domestic cups in play.
Prediction hindsight — what we thought before kickoff
Pre-match predictions favoured a close contest with Arsenal marginal favourites due to league position.
Villa’s energetic home form and Emery’s tactical clarity made the fixture tighter than many expected — and the late drama rewarded Villa’s approach.
Quick FAQ — short answers
Q: Who scored for Villa and Arsenal?
A: Matty Cash and Emiliano Buendía for Villa; Leandro Trossard for Arsenal.
Q: Was the winner reviewed by VAR?
A: Yes — the late goal underwent checks but was allowed to stand after review.
Q: How does this affect Arsenal’s standing?
A: The loss tightens the title race; Arsenal remain top in many tables but with reduced buffer to chasing teams.
What to watch next — upcoming fixtures
Arsenal: prepare for a rapid response in their next Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
Aston Villa: capitalise on momentum and protect top-four aspirations with focused away performances.
Was Buendía’s stoppage-time winner deserved?
Bottom line
Aston Villa’s last-gasp win over Arsenal reshapes the Premier League narrative for December 2025.
Tactically, Villa executed a disciplined plan and converted late — while Arsenal must regroup quickly to keep title ambitions on track.
Disclaimer: This article summarises match coverage and official lineups available as of the update time.
For full match replays, official statistics and ticketing information consult club channels and authorised broadcasters.