Arsenal squandered the opportunity to return top of the Premier League with two late goals consigning them to a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
After Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, the Gunners would have leapfrogged Manchester City to the summit with a victory, as well as opening up a bigger margin over the Reds.
But it was Champions League-chasing Villa who stole all three points in a dramatic finale in north London.
Leon Bailey was the first to find the target, doing so at the back post with David Raya scrambling across goal to make the save.
Just moments later, Ollie Watkins delightfully chipped the Arsenal goalkeeper from inside the area to double their lead in style.
Arsenal had many chances of their own to find the breakthrough but just couldn’t find a way past the resolute Villa defence.
Former goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stunningly denied Leandro Trossard in the first-half, with the Gunners failing to provide a reply.
The result sees them remain second in the table and two points behind reigning champions and leaders Manchester City.
Arsenal started the weekend at the summit and victory on home soil would have kept the title race in their hands.
But their fifth league defeat of the campaign means it is out of their control as it stands, with six games left to play.
Mikel Arteta’s side are also level on points with Liverpool but lead the Reds on goal difference as the season run-in whittles down.
Villa’s victory has proven huge in the race for the Champions League as they now sit in the coveted fourth spot ahead of Tottenham.
Spurs have a game in hand but victory away at Arsenal offer them huge confidence for their remaining games.
The Gunners have suffered defeat for the first time since they were beaten by Porto in the Champions League last 16 in mid-February.
News Summary:
- Arsenal suffer major title blow as two late Aston Villa goals down Gunners
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