Match report

Aston Villa Defeats Arsenal 2-1 in Premier League Thriller

Aston Villa
Aston Villa
2–1
FT
Arsenal
Arsenal
Dec 6, 2025

Aston Villa held off a strong challenge from Arsenal to secure a vital 2-1 win at home on Saturday night in the Premier League. Midfielder M. Cash opened the scoring for Aston Villa before L. Trossard equalized for Arsenal shortly after half-time. The turning point came when E. Buendia netted a late winner, ensuring three valuable points for Villa and leaving Arsenal with their second consecutive defeat.

Key Facts

  • • Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal in Premier League clash.
  • • M. Cash scored the opening goal for Aston Villa at minute 36.
  • • L. Trossard equalized for Arsenal at minute 52.
  • • E. Buendia secured a late winner for Aston Villa at minute 90.

Lineups

Aston Villa

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 23 E. Martinez (G)
  • 2 M. Cash (D)
  • 4 E. Konsa (D)
  • 14 P. Torres (D)
  • 22 I. Maatsen (D)
  • 44 B. Kamara (M)
  • 24 A. Onana (M)
  • 7 J. McGinn (M)
  • 8 Y. Tielemans (M)
  • 27 M. Rogers (M)
  • 11 O. Watkins (F)

Substitutes

  • 40 M. Bizot
  • 3 V. Lindelof
  • 12 L. Digne
  • 16 A. Garcia
  • 26 L. Bogarde
  • 53 G. Hemmings
  • 10 E. Buendia
  • 17 D. Malen
  • 19 J. Sancho

Arsenal

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Raya (G)
  • 4 B. White (D)
  • 12 J. Timber (D)
  • 5 P. Hincapie (D)
  • 33 R. Calafiori (D)
  • 8 M. Odegaard (M)
  • 36 M. Zubimendi (M)
  • 41 D. Rice (M)
  • 7 B. Saka (F)
  • 23 M. Merino (F)
  • 10 E. Eze (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 K. Arrizabalaga
  • 89 M. Salmon
  • 49 M. Lewis-Skelly
  • 16 C. Norgaard
  • 22 E. Nwaneri
  • 11 G. Martinelli
  • 20 N. Madueke
  • 19 L. Trossard
  • 14 V. Gyökeres

Timeline

  1. Aston Villa
    36' Aston Villa Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Cash
  2. Arsenal
    46' Arsenal subst · Substitution 1
    Off: E. Eze · On: L. Trossard
  3. Arsenal
    46' Arsenal subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Merino · On: V. Gyökeres
  4. Arsenal
    52' Arsenal Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Trossard
  5. Aston Villa
    66' Aston Villa subst · Substitution 1
    Off: O. Watkins · On: D. Malen
  6. Arsenal
    72' Arsenal Card · Yellow Card
    R. Calafiori

    Foul

  7. Arsenal
    74' Arsenal Card · Yellow Card
    B. Saka

    Argument

  8. Aston Villa
    75' Aston Villa subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Onana · On: L. Bogarde
  9. Aston Villa
    75' Aston Villa subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. McGinn · On: J. Sancho
  10. Arsenal
    79' Arsenal subst · Substitution 3
    Off: B. Saka · On: Noni Madueke
  11. Arsenal
    86' Arsenal subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Calafiori · On: M. Lewis-Skelly
  12. Arsenal
    86' Arsenal subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Unknown player · On: Gabriel Martinelli
  13. Aston Villa
    87' Aston Villa subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Cash · On: E. Buendia
  14. Aston Villa
    90' Aston Villa Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Buendia · Assist: Boubacar Kamara

Match Stats

Stat Aston Villa Arsenal
Fouls 10 8
Pass Accuracy 82% 85%
Offsides 0 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 15
Corners 3 3
Total Passes 397 443
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 7 1
Shots on Target 6 9
xG 2.16 1.92
Shots off Target 2 5
Possession 47% 53%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 325 376
Shots Inside Box 13 9
Saves 7 4
Shots Outside Box 2 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Aston Villa took the lead through M. Cash's goal in the 36th minute, putting early pressure on Arsenal.
  • ▸ Arsenal equalized through L. Trossard just after half-time but couldn't maintain momentum.
  • ▸ E. Buendia’s late winner for Aston Villa at the 90th minute sealed a crucial victory and shifted the match's outcome in their favor.