STATS Perform/dpa
Emiliano Martinez’s late own goal proved the turning point as Arsenal came from behind twice to beat Aston Villa 4-2 in stoppage time and boost to their Premier League title hopes.
The Gunners, who were replaced at the summit after losing to Manchester City in midweek, looked to be heading to another underwhelming result at Villa Park before luck went their way in stoppage time.
Ollie Watkins’ clinical finish put Villa in charge early on, and although Bukayo Saka soon equalised, the visitors trailed at the break thanks to Philippe Coutinho’s sensationally worked team goal.
Oleksandr Zinchecko levelled again and that appeared to be as good as it would get for Arsenal, but Martinez inadvertently put into his own net in stoppage time and was then caught up the other end of the pitch as Gabriel Martinelli completed a dramatic turnaround.
Arsenal’s limp start provided few clues of the jubilation to come as they were behind inside five minutes.
Matty Cash robbed Zinchenko and released Watkins, who created space with a step-over before lashing across Aaron Ramsdale into the bottom-right corner.
Saka hammered into the roof of the net to level when Ben White’s cross was only partially cleared. But Villa restored their lead in style just past the half-hour, Coutinho coolly slotting in from 16 yards after Emiliano Buendia dummied Alex Moreno’s cut-back to conclude a brilliant move.
