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

'We really had them' - Arteta laments mistakes in defeat to title rivals Man City

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 vs Arsenal

• Arsenal score late to defeat Aston Villa in brilliant Premier League clash
• Arsenal bounce back to seal stunning late comeback win over Aston Villa
• 90+8’ GOAL! - Martinelli adds a fourth on the break (AST 2-4 ARS)
• 90+3’ GOAL! - A fortuitous own goal from Emi Martinez wins it for Arsenal (AST 2-3 ARS)
• 84’ SAVE! - Ramsdale’s fingertips deny Bailey a winner (AST 2-2 ARS)
• 61’ GOAL! - Zinchenko strikes to equalise for Arsenal (AST 2-2 ARS)
• 57’ CROSSBAR! - Nketiah’s headed effort hits the bar (AST 2-1 ARS)
• 31’ GOAL! - Coutinho sends Villa back in front (AST 2-1 ARS)
• 16’ GOAL! - A rocket from Saka brings Arsenal level (AST 1-1 ARS)
• 11’ OFF THE LINE! - Mings rescues Villa with goalline clearance (AST 1-0 ARS)
• 5’ GOAL! - A brilliant finish from Watkins puts Villa in front (AST 1-0 ARS)

[18 February 2023 11:50 · Michael Jones]

Back-to-back defeats?

Aston Villa are looking to avoid consecutive league defeats at Villa Park for the first time since April last year where one of those two defeats was against Arsenal.

[18 February 2023 11:46 · Michael Jones]

Can Arsenal find a way to win?

Arsenal are without a win in their last three top-flight games, having dropped points in just three of their opening 19 league fixtures this season.

Has their luck run out or can they get back to winning ways today?

[18 February 2023 11:42 · Michael Jones]

Was Arsenal’s defeat to Man City the start of the end of the Premier League title race?

By the time Mikel Arteta returned to the Arsenal dressing room, the players were barely saying a thing. The mood was “down”. Arteta attempted to rouse them by saying they just needed to figure out why they lost in order to improve on it, and “move on”.

A problem is now how the season evolves from here, though. Such was the nature of Manchester City’s victory that it’s impossible not to think this is the start of the end. For the first time this season, though, that fear isn’t just because of the champions’ capacity to go on one of those runs.

It is whether Arsenal now go in the other direction. This 3-1 defeat to City made it one point from three in the Premier League, three defeats in the last four in all competitions and no victories at all in any of this.

[18 February 2023 11:38 · Michael Jones]

A dip in form

Aston Villa have suffered back-to-back Premier League losses for the first time since Steven Gerrard’s final two games in charge in October.

The seven goals they have conceded in those two matches is an many as in their previous seven fixtures combined. Can they stop the rot today?

[18 February 2023 11:34 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Arsenal team changes

Unai Emery makes a whole heap of changes to the Aston Villa line-up that lost to Manchester City in their last outing. In defence Ezri Konsa is the only man to keep his place as Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings and Alex Moreno all return.

John McGinn and Philippe Coutinho also slot into midfield at the expense of Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey.

For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta makes just two changes. Ben White returns at right-back over Takehiro Tomiyasu whilst Leandro Trossard starts ahead of Gabriel Martinelli.

[18 February 2023 11:31 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Arsenal line-ups

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Moreno, McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Coutinho, Buendia, Watkins

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Trossard, Nketiah

[18 February 2023 11:27 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Arsenal have only won more Premier League away games against West Ham than the 13 victories they have earned at Villa Park.

Will they be adding to that total today?

[18 February 2023 11:24 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

The venue for this afternoon’s match. Arsenal travel to Villa Park in the hopes of reclaiming top spot in the Premier League.

[18 February 2023 11:20 · Michael Jones]

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Arsenal are looking to complete successive league doubles over Aston Villa. Only one of the last 21 meetings between these sides in all competitions has ended in a draw.

[18 February 2023 11:16 · Michael Jones]

Mikel Arteta claims neutrals want Arsenal to win Premier League title and have ‘sympathy’ for Gunners

Mikel Arteta believes more neutrals want to see Arsenal win the Premier League than their title rivals Manchester City.

The Gunners boss feels people have seen “the way Arsenal do things” as they aim to regain top spot having lost to City on Wednesday night.

They head into the weekend second on goal difference and are in action in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off when they travel to face former manager Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

City’s 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium took them ahead of Arteta’s men for the first time since November 5 but they sit atop the table amid allegations of breaches of Premier League rules.