The Gunners have blown a two-goal lead as their title hopes take another blow

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes suffered another blow as they blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Aston Villa.

The Gunners were on top on the hour thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz either side of half-time, but Villa scored twice in eight minutes to equalise.

Youri Tielemans headed in moments after Havertz’s goal before Watkins scored his sixth career goal against Arsenal to put the visitors back in the game.

Mikel Merino thought he had scored the winner with five minutes left in the game, but the goal was disallowed by VAr after he hit Havertz in the arm on a pass.

The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after the Reds grabbed a late 2-0 lead against Brentford and Villa climbed above Manchester City into seventh place.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Arsenal started from the front but it was Villa who proved the greater threat on the counter attack with Watkins stretching the centre-backs at every opportunity.

Hearts were in collective mouths when Thomas Partey played the ball straight to the Villa forward, who failed to find the net in an attempt to lob David Raya.

But it was the Gunners who celebrated moments later when Martinelli put the finishing touches on Leandro Trossard’s cross, with the ball just over the line after Emiliano Martinez’s free-kick was well saved.

Gabriel Martinelli tackles Leandra Trossard and opens the scoring in North London! 💥 pic.twitter.com/HOhHh9cxJK

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025

The hosts continued to dictate the game after the break and gained complete control in the 55th minute when Trossard once again put Havertz into the net from the left despite a great effort by Martinez at Villa’s goal.

Leandro Trossard finds Kai Havertz in the box to double Arsenal’s lead 🔴 pic.twitter.com/8Auy4yPEoH

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025

Villa’s comeback stunned Arsenal

But Villa responded immediately as the brilliant Lucas Digne headed in Youri Tielemans but put the visitors back in the game.

Youri Tielemans heads in after Lucas Digne’s cross and returns for Villa! 👀 pic.twitter.com/OliwVuSSdZ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025

And the Belgian midfielder thought he had leveled moments later when he hit the post after another slick break involving Watkins and Jacob Ramsey.

But moments later, Villa were level when Matty Cash left-footed Watkins who hit a first-time volley to silence the Emirates.

What a finish from Ollie Watkins to equalize 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 many inside the Emirates, the goal was ruled out after the ball bounced off Havertz’s hand.

Soon after, Emiliano Martinez made two outstanding saves to keep out Trossard and Merino as the game entered extra time.