Arsenal blew a two goal lead and had a late goal disallowed to deal them a crushing blow in their hopes of winning some silverware this season.
Arsenal went into the game under pressure in the Premier League title race after Darwin Nunez fired two stoppage time goals for Liverpool to overcome Brentford.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for the Gunners after good work from Leandro Trossard down the left hand side allowed the winger to bundle the ball past Emiliano Martinez.
Arsenal fans criticised Kai Havertz against Manchester United but were left singing his name after Havertz volleyed home yet another Trossard cross early in the second half.
Aston Villa got back into the game with a Youri Tielemans header before Ollie Watkins came back to haunt Arsenal yet again.
Five things you missed from Arsenal v Aston Villa
With a disappointing 2-2 draw and another damaging result for Arsenal, here are five things you may have missed from the game.
Emiliano Martinez given hostile reception from Arsenal crowd
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was given a hostile reception from the Emirates Stadium on his return to the ground where he used to play his football.
Martinez revealed Arteta was disappointed when he left Arsenal but joined Villa in 202 for £17m and went on to win the World Cup with Argentina and help his club side qualify for the Champions League this season.
Since then, Martinez has been a bit of a pantomime villain with Arsenal fans having been rather vocal about his Arsenal departure.
Mikel Arteta was booked in the first half
Mikel Arteta received his second yellow card of the season in the first half meaning he is now just one yellow card away from a suspension.
Arteta was incensed when he believed that a Gabriel Magalhaes challenge on Jacob Ramsey should have been awarded as an Arsenal throw-in.
His remonstrations to the fourth official and linesman brought Arteta a booking from referee Chris Kavanagh, meaning he is now walking a disciplinary tightrope.
Unai Emery was also booked in the second half, meaning he now faces a suspension in their clash against West Ham.
Gabriel Martinelli forces Ian Maatsen to be substituted at half time
Arsenal Fans were in awe of Martinelli’s performance in the first half and his dynamism was a huge factor in Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen being substituted at half time.
Martinelli’s pace caused the Dutch defender all sorts of problems and in the 20th minute had to pull the Brazilian down, earning him a booking. The defender then allowed Martinelli to steal in front of him for Arsenal’s opening goal.
Maatsen’s replacement at half time was Lucas Digne and he provided a wonderful assist for Tielemans to get Aston Villa back in the game.
Mikel Merino at fault for Youri Tielemans goal
Arsenal allowed Aston Villa back in the game after looking to have secured a comfortable position following a wonderful Havertz volley.
Midfielder Mikel Merino allowed the Belgian midfielder to get the wrong side of him and head home following a delicious cross from full back Digne.
Merino has not made the impact that Arteta would have hoped for since joining from Real Sociedad in the summer and continues to divide opinion amongst the Gunners fans.
Gary Neville predicted Ollie Watkins to score
During the first half, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins had a couple of chances to open the scoring in the game and looked a constant threat in behind the Arsenal defence.
Speaking on Sky Sports commentary of the match, Gary Neville predicted that Watkins would eventually capitalise on a chance in the game and he was proven right as Watkins fired the equaliser to earn a point for his side.
Neville stated: “He’s getting in there Watkins. I wouldn’t be surprised if something falls for him here.”
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