Aston Villa once again dented Arsenal’s Premier League title charge after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel Martinelli poked the Gunners into the lead in the 35th minute, with visiting goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez unable to stop the Brazilian's effort from crossing the line.

Kai Havertz then fired Arsenal further in front 10 minutes after the restart, with the hosts looking set to close the gap to leaders Liverpool, who beat Brentford earlier on Saturday. 

But Youri Tielemans reduced the deficit on the hour when he powerfully headed substitute Lucas Digne's cross past David Raya for his second top-flight goal of the season. 

The turnaround was complete eight minutes later when Matty Cash's ball into the box was brilliantly finished by Ollie Watkins, who rifled the ball in off the crossbar.

Arsenal thought they had won it when Mikel Merino’s strike deflected off Havertz, with the goal given on-field but overturned by the referee following a VAR review after the ball found its way in off the German’s hand.

Mikel Arteta's side continued to push for a winner in the closing stages, with Merino striking the post and Trossard's follow up on the rebound saved by Martinez, but they were unable to find a way through late on. 

Villa’s comeback sees them jump up to seventh in the table, while Arsenal stay second, but are now six points behind Arne Slot’s side, who also have a game in hand.

Data Debrief: Villa play the Villans once again

In April last year, Arsenal saw their title bid dented following a 2-0 defeat to Villa at the Emirates, and they may have seen this year’s Premier League slip through their grasp against the same opposition on home turf.

The Gunners have now failed to win a Premier League home game in which they led by two or more goals for the first time since October 2019 (2-2 vs Crystal Palace), having won each of their last 46 before tonight.

Arsenal have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign since 2019-20 (21).

Villa, meanwhile, avoided defeat in a Premier League away game in which they trailed by two or more goals for the first time since November 2013 (2-2 vs West Bromwich Albion), ending a run of 52 straight defeats.