Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes took another blow as they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa.
The Gunners were in control for the best hour thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz either side of half-time, but Villa scored twice in eight minutes to level the match.
Youri Tielemans headed home moments after Havertz’s goal before Watkins scored his sixth career goal against Arsenal and put the visitors back in the game.
Mikel Merino thought he had scored the winner five minutes from time, but the goal was ruled out by VAr after hitting Havertz’s hand during the pass.
The draw leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after the Reds secured a late 2-0 victory at Brentford, with Villa climbing above Manchester City into seventh place.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Arsenal started brightly, but it was Villa who were more threatening on the counter-attack, with Watkins stretching the centre-backs at every opportunity.
Hearts were in collective mouths when Thomas Partey lobbed the ball straight to the Villa striker, who failed to find the net with his attempt to lob David Raya.
But it was the Gunners who celebrated moments later when Martinelli put the finishing touch on Leandro Trossard’s cross, the ball just crossing the line after Emiliano Martinez had well parried the initial shot.
Gabriel Martinelli takes Leandro Trossard’s cross to open the scoring in north London! 💥 pic.twitter.com/HOhHh9cxJK
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
The hosts continued to dictate proceedings after the break and asserted complete control in the 55th minute when Trossard again provided the ball from the left for Havertz to find the net despite Martinez’s best efforts in the Villa goal.
Leandro Trossard finds Kai Havertz in the box who doubles Arsenal’s lead 🔴 pic.twitter.com/8Auy4yPEoH
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
Villa return surprises Arsenal
But Villa responded immediately as a brilliant Lucas Digne headed in by Youri Tielemans but put the visitors back in the game.
Youri Tielemans heads home from a Lucas Digne cross to pull one back for Villa! 👀 pic.twitter.com/OliwVuSSdZ
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 18, 2025
And the Belgian midfielder thought he had equalized moments later when he hit the post after another deft break involving Watkins and Jacob Ramsey.
But soon after Villa were level when Matty Cash’s left-footed cross found Watkins who struck with a first-time volley and silenced 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 goal for the title contenders but, to the dismay of most of the Emirates, the goal was scored after the ball deflected off Havertz’s hand.
Shortly after, Emiliano Martinez made two exceptional saves to deny Trossard and Merino as the match entered injury time.
