In a stunning turn of events on Saturday, 6th December 2025, Arsenal's impressive 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions came to a dramatic and heartbreaking end at Villa Park. Emiliano Buendia scored with virtually the last kick of the game to seal a memorable 2-1 victory for Aston Villa over the Premier League leaders.
Villa Park Drama Unfolds
The match, which kicked off at 4:15pm West Africa Time (WAT), saw Mikel Arteta's table-topping side fall behind in the first half. Matty Cash found the back of the net to give the home team a lead they carried into the break, much to the delight of the Villa faithful.
Arsenal responded after the interval. The introduction of substitute Leandro Trossard paid dividends as the Belgian forward netted the equaliser, setting up a tense and pulsating finale. Both teams created and squandered opportunities in a match that lived up to its billing as a top-tier Premier League clash.
Last-Gasp Heartbreak for the Gunners
Just as the contest seemed destined for a draw, a moment of defensive lapse from Arsenal proved costly. In the dying seconds, Emiliano Buendia capitalised on the error, slotting home the winner to send Villa Park into raptures. The goal not only secured three points for Unai Emery's side but also brutally halted the Gunners' long stretch of invincibility.
Consequences for the Title Race
This result sends shockwaves through the Premier League title race. While Arsenal remain at the summit, the defeat opens the door for their closest challengers to close the gap. The manner of the loss—a last-minute winner conceded after fighting back—will be a tough psychological blow for Arteta's squad to process.
For Aston Villa, this is a statement victory that underscores their growth under Emery and their capability to compete with the very best. The three points provide a massive boost to their own European ambitions this season.
The key takeaway from a thrilling afternoon in Birmingham is that the Premier League title race is far from over, and resilience will be tested. Arsenal must now regroup quickly to ensure this setback does not derail their otherwise stellar campaign.