The Gunners took a two-goal lead in another blow to their title hopes.


Arsenal's Premier League hopes were dealt another blow after they were held to a two-goal lead by a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

The Gunners had their best command of the hour thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havarez in the 8th minute, but Villa scored twice in the 8th minute.

Youri Tielemans headed home after Havard's goal before Watkins scored the visitors' sixth goal of the game against Arsenal.

Mikel Merino thought he would have scored the winner with five minutes to play, but was ruled out by VAR after he touched the hand of Havarez on the way to goal.

Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Liverpool's 2-0 win at Brantford saw Villa leapfrog Manchester City into seventh place.

Arsenal and Aston Villa

Arsenal started on the front foot but it was Villa who were more threatening on the counter-attack with Watkins stretching the centre-back.

Hearts rallied when Thomas Payet dropped the ball straight to the Villa striker but David Ray's volleyed effort failed to find the net.

But the Gunners were victorious when Martinelli got the last touch on Leandro Trost's cross and the ball went over the line after Emiliano Martinez did well to parry the opener.

In the 55th minute, it was the best effort of Havez, but Trossard, who again headed home from the left side of Martinez's net, kept the hosts level at the end.

Villa's comeback stunned Arsenal.

But Villa responded immediately as the brilliant Lucas Digne fired home Youri Tielemans to put the visitors back in the game.

After another slap in the face involving Watkins and Jacob Ramsey, the Belgian midfielder looked equal moments later when he hit the post.

But soon after, Matty Cash's left-footed cross found Watkins, who silenced the Emirates with Villa's first-time volley.

Merino thought he had scored a huge winner for the title, but much to the dismay of many inside the Emirates squad, the ball slipped out of Havard's hands and went wide.

It wasn't long before Emiliano Martinez made two outstanding saves to deny Trossard and Merino, adding to the game.





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