Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
The 18‑game unbeaten run came to an end in dramatically late fashion at Villa Park. Further injuries in the backline following the midweek 2–0 win against Brentford at the Emirates, this time with Mosquera ruled out for a period, meant yet another reshuffle. Timber operated at centre‑back alongside Hincapié, far from ideal as we battle the busy Christmas fixture list.
The early kick‑off against a Villa side with a full‑strength defence was always going to be a test, but without Gabriel and Saliba it felt like this was the day it finally caught up with us. The game began energetically, the biggest early chance falling to the home side; Watkins battled his way through and forced a good save from Raya. Had he scored, VAR would surely have looked at McGinn’s challenge on Calafiori in the build up.
Arsenal eventually settled, players rotating all over the pitch and progressing the ball well, though most of the attacks came almost exclusively down the right. The left side just wasn’t clicking, with Eze operating off the left of the front three and Ødegaard back in the attacking midfield role. The dynamics of Calafiori overlapping a winger like Trossard were missing, and Martinelli’s absence was felt with directness on the break.
Midway through the half we had the ball in the net, a cleverly crafted move down the right, Ødegaard linking with Saka before a ball across the box for Eze to tap in, but the flag was up, Bukayo drifting just offside.
Overall, we looked disjointed in the first half. Perhaps this was one game too many relying on Merino as the focal point against a very physical, pacey backline who pushed high and dominated the aerial battle. The ball simply wouldn’t stick up top, making it difficult to build sustainable attacks. When we did threaten, it was mostly on the break. At times it became like a basketball match, both teams attacking, losing the ball, and going end‑to‑end. Much of this came from Villa not making the most of the chances they created by getting in behind our midfield three. Onana and Kamara did this brilliantly on three occasions, Villa always seeming to have an extra man. They reached good positions but mistimed the final pass, allowing us to break, some counters halted by clever tactical fouls.
Villa took the lead in the 35th minute. A cross into the box saw Timber stretch to make contact, flicking the ball toward the back post where Cash ran in, capitalising as Eze switched off, and fired low through Raya’s legs. 1–0 at the break, another away game chasing the match.
Changes were needed, either structurally or in personnel—and it was the latter. Trossard and Gyökeres replaced Merino and Eze, and the impact was immediate. For the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Arsenal smothered Villa: dominating the ball, breaking up every attack, and going all out for the equaliser. It arrived in the 52nd minute. Great play again down the right, Rice tracking Onana, who lost the ball; Ødegaard striding away before picking the perfect pass to Saka; a lovely dragged first touch away from the defender; and a ball across the box similar to the disallowed goal earlier. It ricocheted to that man again, Trossard, who finished from close range.
1–1, game on. Arsenal kept the momentum for another ten minutes, pressing relentlessly. But as the minutes ticked on, the match reverted to that basketball‑like feel. Emery made timely substitutions to freshen things up. Arsenal looked leggy again, and with a midweek trip to Brugge ahead, rotation will be welcome.
Ødegaard had our clearest chance to win it, firing a fearsome drive goalwards, Martinez tipping it over with his fingertips. It looked destined to crash off the underside of the bar and perhaps over the line. Villa, though, had the better late chances, Malen dragged one wide after replacing Watkins, and minutes later a mix‑up saw a ball fired toward the near post—Raya ready to collect, Timber taking no chances and getting a touch that nearly diverted it in.
Villa’s momentum grew further when Calafiori picked up a booking for a cynical pull‑back on a counter. From then on, they targeted that side relentlessly with floated balls in behind, all the pressure on the Italian not to commit another foul. Skelly eventually replaced him late on.
Another draw might have drawn some criticism, but considering Villa hadn’t lost at home in 32 matches, aside from Arsenal’s 2–0 win at the start of last season—and had beaten PSG and Bayern in the past year, they are currently the most in‑form side in the country. Given the nature of the afternoon, with a minute to go and the game stretched again, Arsenal pushed for a winner. Rice was released down the right, striding forward, clearly shaping to hit the ball first time across the box. It reached Madueke, who had come on, but from a tight angle and on his weaker foot he found only the side netting.
The replay showed Gyökeres perhaps should have busted a gut to get across the box, he didn’t react to Rice’s initial ball. With more sharpness and match fitness, maybe he gets there and we steal an away win.
Then came the sucker punch. Even the commentator said it looked like the last chance of the match. The goal kick went long, we didn’t win the first ball, and it bounced into the box. Hincapié, who had covered well all day, perhaps with tired legs and a tired mind, took a heavy touch as he swept the ball away from a Villa attacker. Looking to adjust and clear upfield, he instead ran it out of play. Villa were switched on; quick throw, recycled across the right, Malen with great movement holding the ball before rolling it to a teammate to deliver a superb cross. A clever header across by Sancho kept it alive, Tielemans not giving up and getting behind Zubimendi for a close‑range effort, Raya saving brilliantly. The ball bounced out, bodies flying everywhere to block, but there was no real chance to clear. Buendia kept it alive amid the chaos, and when composure was needed, he found it—lifting the ball perfectly into the top corner.
We’ve had those last‑minute winners ourselves, and the explosion of noise was audible on the broadcast. The feeling was gutting. The last kick, so close to getting something from the game. It had all the feel of a cup tie, and that’s how it felt at the final whistle. Villa are a very good side, coached superbly, and caused our backline constant problems with their interchangeable movement; Rogers in particular with his feet, timing, and ball protection. With the lack of depth in defence, a point would have been a great result, get out, reset, and go again with Wolves next in the league.
Composure will be key over the next few weeks as the chasers have made ground. The tough away games are out of the way, and rotation is now possible. Brugge will be a difficult test, but given our healthy position in Europe, dropped points wouldn’t be disastrous. Saliba was close to the matchday squad by all accounts, and his calmness and composure will be vital in away games, not only defensively but in how he progresses attacks.
A tough day, two very good teams, and a last‑minute moment the difference. Time to refresh, reset, and go again midweek ahead of Wolves next Saturday evening. Until the next one, UTA.
The View From Block 107 