Arsenal Title Hopes Hit by Aston
Villa Comeback

London, 19 Jan (ONA) — Arsenal had
a late goal disallowed as they dropped two points in the English Premier League
(EPL) title race after throwing away a two-goal lead at home to Aston Villa.

Kai Havertz thought he had found the
winner with a minute left in normal time, but the goal was disallowed after
replays showed he handled Mikel Merino’s shot.

The hosts had claimed a two-goal
lead, with Gabriel Martinelli opening the scoring after taking advantage of
some slack defending from Villa left-back Ian Maatsen to bundle home Leandro
Trossard’s cross, BBC sports reported.

The Belgian turned provider again
for Arsenal’s second, as Havertz netted his 13th goal of the season from the
former Brighton winger’s cross ten minutes after half-time.

But Villa staged a stunning
comeback, halving the deficit through Youri Tielemans’ header from Matty Cash’s
cross on the hour mark, and equalising eight minutes later with a volley by
striker Ollie Watkins.

The result leaves Arsenal six points
behind leaders Liverpool in the EPL, having played a game more than Arne Slot’s
side.

Villa move into seventh, two points
shy of fourth-placed Newcastle in the final Champions League slot.

William Saliba missed the draw in
north London through injury and manager Mikel Arteta said he fears Arsenal
could be without the France defender in the coming weeks.

— Ends/Khalid