🔗 Share this article Villa's Emiliano BuendÃa Strikes Leaders Arsenal with Last-Gasp Goal. Mikel Arteta had warned of the considerable threats that lay in wait for his pace-setting Arsenal side at Villa Park. Aston Villa have historically inflicted painful blows to the Gunners' title hopes. Just a short time ago, Unai Emery's team rallied from two goals behind to snatch a point that hurt Arsenal's chase. Furthermore, two seasons earlier, Villa managed a league double over Arsenal, with a last-minute on the road win proving crucial in handing the title to Manchester City. A Battle of Form Teams Therefore, Arteta and his squad were fully aware of the challenge of unlocking a Villa side in the midst of an exceptional run of form, having secured 12 victories from their last fourteen matches across all competitions. Emery, conversely, understood the difficulty of beating an Arsenal team that had won seventeen of their 21 fixtures this season and had strengthened their roster in the summer. Even missing key centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, the defense with Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapié did not look lacking in ability. The Scene was Prepared for a Thrilling Conclusion. Cash Blasts Villa Ahead Villa grabbed a first-half advantage through an ever more reliable outlet: defender Matty Cash. Eight minutes after Declan Rice had heroically denied a powerful Cash effort, the Villa defender thumped another shot through the legs of goalkeeper David Raya. The goal originated after Timber flicked on a Pau Torres cross. Emery reacted with pumped fists as the entire Villa team swarmed to congratulate Cash in the corner for his trademark golf-swing gesture. The Gunners Hit Back Following the Break Arteta acted swiftly, bringing on attackers Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard at the interval. The change paid off quickly. Trossard initially whistled a volley just wide, before igniting raucous scenes in the away end minutes later. After Rice muscled possession in midfield and Martin Ødegaard found the overlapping Bukayo Saka, a scramble in the box ensued. Goalkeeper Emiliano MartÃnez could only push Saka's cross, leaving Trossard to lash the loose ball into the net from close range. A Frenetic Finale and Late Heroics The match raced at a furious pace. Former Arsenal player Donyell Malen, now a Villa sub, dragged a shot wide. At the other end, MartÃnez touched a swerving Ødegaard effort. Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, the action reached its peak in the 94th minute. In a chaotic goalmouth scramble, substitute Emiliano BuendÃa hauled himself up to force the ball over the line, sending Villa Park into complete pandemonium. Former Arsenal goalkeeper MartÃnez rushed to celebrate with the pulsating huddle of ecstatic Villa players near the halfway line. Championship Battle Well and Truly Open This result launches Aston Villa squarely into the heart of the Premier League chase. The incredible atmosphere following BuendÃa's stoppage-time winner underscored its importance. The fixture between the first and second teams, now separated by just three points, lived up to its billing as a potential campaign-altering encounter.