He was also the scorer for Richarlison’s opening goal. At 2-0, Simons intercepted the ball in his own half, after which he was able to move freely and slide the ball in. Defender Micky van de Ven kept ‘a clean sheet’ with the new number 8 of the Premier League, Sepp van den Berg played at Brentford from the kick-off.
Manchester City reduced the gap with leader Arsenal to 2 points. Coach Pep Guardiola’s team defeated Sunderland, who started the season strongly, 3-0 on their own field. As a result, City pushes Aston Villa, which won 2-1 against Arsenal earlier on Saturday, back to third place.
Emiliano Buendía gives Aston Villa victory over Arsenal. © Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Aston Villa beats leader Arsenal with a goal in the final seconds
A goal from Emiliano Buendía gave Aston Villa the victory over Arsenal: 2-1. It was only the second league defeat of the season for the Premier League leader.
Aston Villa went into the game knowing that it had won its last six games, in the league and the Europa League. Coach Unai Emery’s team last lost on November 1 at Liverpool (2-0). Arsenal suffered its only defeat there on August 31 (1-0).
Matty Cash opens scoring with goal through David Raya’s legs
With Ian Maatsen in the starting line-up and Lamare Bogarde, Donyell Malen and goalkeeper Marco Bizot on the bench, Aston Villa took the lead in the 37th minute. Matty Cash shot from close range from a difficult angle through the legs of goalkeeper David Raya. The cross was from Pau Torres.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta brought on strikers Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyökeres for Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino after the break. The offensive change quickly had success. Trossard shot the ball into the Villa goal in the 52nd minute on a pass from Bukayo Saka.
Villa had chances, including through Ollie Watkins, who was replaced by Malen in the 65th minute. On the other hand, Emiliano Martínez saved from a bet by Martin Ødegaard. Bogarde also came on. He saw how Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber missed Maatsen’s cross into his own goal and Buendía gave the home team the win in the closing seconds.
Villa climbed to second place and closed within 3 points of Arsenal.
| Position | Team | P | GS | W | V | G | DS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | +19 | |
| 2 | 31 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | +19 | |
| 3 | 30 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | +7 | |
| 4 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | +10 | |
| 5 | 24 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 3 | +1 | |
| 6 | 23 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | +7 | |
| 7 | 23 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | +1 | |
| 8 | 22 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | +7 | |
| 9 | 22 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | +4 | |
| 10 | 22 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | +1 | |
| 11 | 22 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | |
| 12 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | -3 | |
| 13 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | +1 | |
| 14 | 19 | 15 | 6 | 8 | 1 | -3 | |
| 15 | 17 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | -3 | |
| 16 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 3 | -11 | |
| 17 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 2 | -10 | |
| 18 | 12 | 14 | 3 | 8 | 3 | -12 | |
| 19 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 1 | -13 | |
| 20 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 2 | -22 |