Premier League: Arsenal Dealt Title Race Setback After Loss To Aston Villa From Ollie Watkin's Stunning Goals

 

Arsenal have suffered a massive blow to their Premier League title race following a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa with two late goals that ruined the Gunners' title challenge, sending Manchester City in the lead with two points clear.

Ollie Watkin had poised a serious threat to Arsenal's defense from the start and had had a stunning attempt at the goal before he found the back of the net at close range, tapping home a loose ball from Lucas Digne's cross to put the side ahead in the second half. 

The second goal followed in less than two minutes after as Villa capitalized on Arsenal's loose defense in search for equaliser as Watkin latched onto Tieleman's through pass and while challenged by Smith Rowe, he lobbed the ball past onrushing David Raya for the winning goal. 

The disastrous loss dealt a setback to Mikel Arteta's bid for his first Premier League since assuming the role of a manager at the club. The defeat was the first time this season that Arsenal will lose a game conceding two late goals for a neat defeat. Also, it was their first defeat since New Year's Eve against Fulham.

Overview 

It was a disappointing game for Arsenal that had the possession for much of the first half with Havertz having a couple of chances but Villa found Diego Costa to stop the German. As the Brazilian was effective at holding off Arsenal attack, likewise was the goalie Martinelli for a touchline save of Trossard's touch of Odegaard's from close range. 

There were not much of Villa trobling their hosts but they found a moment and Watkin got the better of their defence to strike the ball well enough only to clip goal frame. Arsenal were offensive but unable to connect rightly enough to get the ball into the net.

Villa switched it up on Arsenal after the halftime break, forcing the Gunners deeper into their own halve until they made most of defensive flops nly Watkin to send Villa through. They had exploited every means to get ahead. Amongst those was Tielemann's curly shot from edge of the box that clipped the woodwork. 

Arsenal really deserve to win just as Villa but found themselves struggling through the second half, unable to cause enough scare and got punished for their defensive errors. Villa were resilient and Martinelli was really dependable for Villa to keep the balls out.