ASTON VILLA STUN ARSENAL LATE: BUENDíA WINNER SPARKS TITLE RACE
Unai Emery's Villa beat Arsenal 2-1 to close the gap on the leaders. Cash and Buendía scored in the thrilling Premier League clash.
Mikel Arteta knew going to Villa Park wouldn't be easy for his Arsenal team, the current Premier League leaders. In January, Aston Villa came back from two goals down to tie Arsenal at their home stadium, a result that put Arsenal behind Liverpool in the title race. Two seasons ago, Villa beat Arsenal twice, including a late away win that helped Manchester City win the league.
So, Arteta and Arsenal knew they had a tough job against a Villa team that had won 12 of their last 14 games, including eight of their last nine league games. Unai Emery also knew it wouldn't be easy against an Arsenal side that had won 17 of their 21 games this season and improved their team over the summer. Even with Cristhian Mosquera out with an ankle injury, they still looked strong. Interestingly, Arteta replaced Emery as manager six years ago, aiming to win a title they haven't won since 2003-04.
Have Villa now joined the title race? The fans went wild after Emiliano Buendía, who came off the bench, scored in the 94th minute to win the game, their ninth in the last 10 matches, suggesting they have. Emiliano Martínez, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, joined his Villa teammates in celebrating the win. This game, between the teams now in first and second place and only three points apart, certainly lived up to the hype, especially considering Villa's slow start to the season.
Villa took the lead in the first half with a goal from Matty Cash. Just minutes after Declan Rice blocked Cash's shot, the Villa right-back scored through the legs of David Raya after Timber touched Pau Torres's cross. Emery celebrated as the Villa players ran to the corner flag to celebrate with Cash.
Arteta made quick changes, bringing on Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard at halftime. Trossard almost scored a volley in the 50th minute, and soon after, he tied the game. Declan Rice won the ball and set up Ødegaard, who found Bukayo Saka. Martínez saved Saka's cross, but Trossard scored on the rebound.
"Just win your games and see what happens," Arteta had said before the game. While Arsenal had momentum after tying the game, Villa didn't give up. Donyell Malen shot just wide, and Martínez saved a shot from Ødegaard. In the end, Buendía scored the winning goal almost at the last second.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
Must Read
