đ Share this article Aston Villa's BuendĂa Strikes Table-Toppers The Gunners with Last-Gasp Goal. Mikel Arteta had spoken about the significant hazards that lay in wait for his pace-setting Arsenal side at Villa Park. Aston Villa have in the past inflicted damaging blows to the Gunners' championship hopes. Just months ago, Unai Emery's team fought back from two goals behind to snatch a point that hurt Arsenal's chase. Furthermore, two seasons earlier, Villa managed a pair of victories over Arsenal, with a late away win proving crucial in paving the way for the title to another rival. A Clash of Form Teams Therefore, Arteta and his squad were fully aware of the challenge of unlocking a Villa side in the midst of an impressive run of form, having won 12 victories from their last fourteen matches across all tournaments. Emery, conversely, understood the difficulty of beating an Arsenal team that had claimed 17 of their 21 fixtures this campaign and had strengthened their squad in the off-season. Even without key centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, the backline featuring JurriĂ«n Timber and Piero HincapiĂ© did not look lacking in ability. The Scene was Set for a Thrilling Conclusion. Cash Blasts Villa Ahead Villa grabbed a first-half lead through an increasingly dependable source: full-back Matty Cash. Eight minutes after Declan Rice had heroically blocked a powerful Cash effort, the Villa right-back thumped another attempt through the legs of goalkeeper David Raya. The goal came after Timber flicked on a Pau Torres cross. Emery celebrated with pumped fists as the entire Villa outfield swarmed to congratulate Cash in the corner for his trademark golf-swing gesture. The Gunners Respond Following the Interval Arteta did not hesitate, bringing on attackers Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard at the interval. The substitution proved effective quickly. Trossard initially whistled a volley just wide, before igniting wild celebrations in the traveling end minutes later. After Rice won possession in midfield and Martin Ădegaard found the overlapping Bukayo Saka, a frenzy in the box ensued. Goalkeeper Emiliano MartĂnez could only push Saka's cross, leaving Trossard to slam the rebound into the net from close range. A Breathless Finale and Last-Minute Heroics The match raced at a frantic pace. Former Arsenal player Donyell Malen, now a Villa sub, dragged a shot wide. At the other end, MartĂnez touched a dipping Ădegaard effort. Just as the match seemed destined for a tie, the action reached its peak in the 94th minute. In a hectic penalty area melee, replacement Emiliano BuendĂa managed to poke the ball over the line, sending Villa Park into utter pandemonium. Former Arsenal goalkeeper MartĂnez raced to celebrate with the pulsating huddle of jubilant Villa players near the halfway line. Title Race Firmly Open This result propels Aston Villa squarely into the thick of the title race. The electrifying reaction following BuendĂa's stoppage-time winner highlighted its significance. The fixture between the first and second teams, now separated by just 3 points, lived up to its hype as a possible season-defining clash.