Arsenal fight back to clinch thrilling victory at Aston Villa

Arsenal twice battled back from behind to earn a hard-fought injury-time victory at Aston Villa and inject new life into their Premier League title bid.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper and World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez could do nothing as Jorginho’s fine strike cannoned off the crossbar and against the back of his head to settle a thrilling contest 4-2 in favour of the Gunners.

Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho had the home side ahead on two occasions, only for fine strikes from Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko to level for Arsenal.

Their winless run looked set to be extended to four Premier League games before Martinez inadvertently helped out his old side and substitute Gabriel Martinelli tapped into an empty net after the Villa keeper went up for a late corner.

“That’s the Premier League. That’s why it’s the best league in the world. It’s just beautiful,” Arsenal midfielder Jorginho told BT Sport.

“It was very important after the last results we had. The start wasn't easy when we were not producing our game. We came in at half-time, had a chat and then we went back doing the basics we need to do and changed the game.”

With defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday knocking them off the summit on goal difference and falling behind twice here, the response from Mikel Arteta’s side was impressive.

On the eve of the contest, Arteta had bemoaned the fact his side were being forced to play just 63 hours after the final whistle blew in their defeat to their title rivals.

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