Late VAR drama as Villa fight back to dent Arsenal title hopes

Aston Villa inflicted another major blow to Arsenal’s title hopes as they recovered from two goals down to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw which leaves the Gunners six points behind Liverpool.

Arsenal were under pressure to win after Liverpool’s victory at Brentford but Villa, whose win at the Emirates Stadium in April wrecked the Gunners’ title hopes last term, haunted them again.

The Gunners appeared to be cruising to victory as Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz scored either side of half-time, with goal-line technology needed to award the opener, but Villa fought back to turn the game on its head.

Youri Tielemans sparked their recovery when he bravely headed home a wicked cross from substitute Lucas Digne and Ollie Watkins equalised from close-range only eight minutes later to leave the hosts stunned.

The Gunners pushed for a winner in a frenzied finale and thought they had it when Mikel Merino’s shot bounced into the net off Kai Havertz but VAR intervened, deeming the ball to have struck Havertz’s hand and ruling the ball out.

Arsenal created a string of further chances, with Merino striking the post and Trossard sending the follow-up straight at Emiliano Martinez, before Trossard spurned a golden chance deep in stoppage time when he dragged wide when played in on goal.

The Gunners are six points behind Arne Slot’s side and the gap could be extended to nine points if Liverpool win their game in hand. The draw puts Villa above Manchester City in seventh place.