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Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after late goals from Martinez and Martinelli

Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal: Late goals complete Arsenal comeback as they move to the top of the Premier League

Michael Jones
Saturday 18 February 2023 10:04 EST
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Arsenal twice battled back from behind as stoppage time goals from Emiliano Martinez and Gabriel Martinelli helped them to a hard-fought victory at Aston Villa to reignite into their Premier League title bid.

Martinez, a former Arsenal goalkeeper, could do nothing as Jorginho’s strike cannoned off the crossbar and struck the back of his head to settle a thrilling contest 4-2 in favour of the Gunners.

Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho sent home side ahead on two occasions, only for Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko to equalise for Arsenal and keep them in the contest.

The Gunners’ winless run looked set to continue before Martinez inadvertently helped out his old side and substitute Martinelli tapped into an empty net after the goalkeeper went up for a late corner.

Relive the action as Arsenal defeat Aston Villa in the Premier League:

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

69 mins: Mikel Arteta responds with an attacking change of his own. Gabriel Martinelli replaces Leandro Trossard in a like-for-like swap out on the left wing.

Martinelli’s first involvement sees him make a run to the byline and deliver a cross into the hands of Emi Martinez.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:58

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

67 mins: Unai Emery makes a couple of changes for Aston Villa now. Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz go off with Leander Dendoncker and Leon Bailey introduced.

Will the fresh legs of the substitutes allow Villa to stay in this game?

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:56

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

64 mins: Arsenal are purring now. The ball is fed up to Martin Odegaard who spins towards goal and feed Eddie Nketiah in on goal. His first touch takes him wide of the last defender but narrows the angle to shoot.

Emi Martinez comes out to close him down and Nketiah lifts his chip over the top of the goal.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:55

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal (Zinchenko, 61’)⚽️

61 mins: Equaliser! Arsenal work another short corner between Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. Odegaard slides the ball over to Oleksandr Zinchenko just inside the penalty area.

He takes a touch then drills a lovely strike past Emi Martinez to put Arsenal back on level terms.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:52

Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal

60 mins: Nearly! Douglas Luiz feeds the ball over to Ollie Watkins as Aston Villa break up the pitch. Watkins brings it under control and drives towards the box under pressure from William Saliba.

Saliba forces Watkins wide and eventually wins the ball as Watkins has no options to release it to.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:50

Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal

57 mins: Chance! There’s an opportunity for Jorginho to shoot from the edge of the box but he decides to send the ball into the box for Ben White.

White has to put on the burners but manages to get to the ball before flicking a cross into the box at the byline. Eddie Nketiah rises above Matty Cash to win the header and nods it onto the crossbar!

So close to an equaliser!

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:47

Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal

54 mins: A short corner from Arsenal sees Odegaard knock the ball to Zinchenko who drives a shot into the middle of the box. His shot is blocked but bounces kindly to Saka who fizzes an effort of his own well wide of the target.

Saka then goes down holding his leg and needs some treatment from the physios. This is worrying for Arsenal. Saka has been there best player today.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:43

Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal

51 mins: Saka slips the ball to White on the overlap but the right-back heels it back to him. The Arsenal goalscorer then shifts wide of Moreno before lifting the ball into the middle.

Eddie Nketiah arrives to win the header but Ezri Konsa beats him in the air and draws a foul out of the striker. Good defending.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:42

Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal

48 mins: It won’t be too long before Mikel Arteta makes some changes if Arsenal can’t get themselves back into this match. There hasn’t been any changes at half-time from either manager.

Jorginho tries to find a way forward on the left side of the pitch but he’s tackled by Douglas Luiz who prods the ball out for a throw in.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:37

Second half: Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal

Aston Villa get the game back underway and lift the ball over to Ollie Watkins but he fouls William Saliba trying to bring the ball under control.

Michael Jones18 February 2023 13:35

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