Arsenal lost valuable points after being held to a 2-2 draw by visiting team Aston Villa. The Gunners were two goals ahead, but then allowed their opponents to equalize.
Sunday, January 19, 2025 early morning WIB, Arsenal hosted Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in a continued duel in the 2024/2025 Premier League. This match is important for Arsenal to continue chasing Liverpool at the top of the standings.
This time Mikel Arteta’s squad performed quite well and took a two-goal lead through the actions of Gabriel Martinelli (35′) and Kai Havertz (55′). Even so, Aston Villa was able to reply through goals from Youri Tielemans (60′) and Ollie Watkins (68′).
This draw was not good enough for Arsenal, who are now six points behind Liverpool in the 2024/2025 Premier League standings. Aston Villa, on the other hand, managed to secure important points.
Arsenal immediately took the initiative to attack from the first minute. Only 3 minutes into the game, Martinelli had forced Martinez to make a brilliant save, the tempo of the game heated up.
Villa were forced to defend, but not without resistance. In the 13th minute, it was Raya’s turn to struggle to stop the opponent’s chances. Maatsen’s close-range shot almost resulted in a goal.
20 minutes into the game and the tempo of the game began to decrease. Arsenal were still more active in carrying the ball, but their attacks were not dangerous enough. Trossard and Martinelli took turns trying.
In the 35th minute, Arsenal’s long-awaited goal finally arrived. Trossard’s accurate cross landed perfectly for Martinelli who managed to beat Martinez. Goal! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa.
Arsenal looked more confident after the opening goal. They continued to pin down the visitors in the last 10 minutes of the first half, but there were no additional goals.
The game resumed and Arsenal continued to pressure the visitors. Four minutes into the game, Arsenal’s ripe cross in front of the goal from Lewis-Skelly’s cross, unfortunately there was no attacker to greet it.
In the 55th minute, Arsenal’s second goal was scored. Again starting from Trossard’s movement on the wing, continued with a cross, and this time finished with Kai Havertz’s accurate shot. Goal! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa.
In the 60th minute, Aston Villa scored a reply goal. Digne’s accurate cross was met by Tielemans who managed to escape from Arsenal’s defenders, an accurate header and goal! Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa.
In the 68th minute, Aston Villa equalized. Again starting from a cross, this time heading to the far post to be met by Ollie Watkins’ hard volley. Goal! Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa.
The Gunners had scored a goal in the 87th minute, Merino’s shot was deflected by Havertz and broke into Villa’s goal. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR for Havertz’s handball. The score remained 2-2.
