The win extended Villa's outstanding run at Villa Park to six straight home league victories and pushing Unai Emery's side firmly into the top-two conversation.

Both teams came out firing, and the goalkeepers were immediately involved. Emiliano Martinez reacted sharply to keep out Martin Odegaard after Jurrien Timber had stepped high to dispossess Morgan Rogers, while Ollie Watkins forced David Raya into an equally alert save at the other end.

Bukayo Saka grew into the contest, but he watched one effort saved, another drift wide, and a third blocked by Amadou Onana as Arsenal pressed.

Arsenal thought they had broken through after 22 minutes when Eberechi Eze tapped in from Saka's pass, but VAR confirmed Saka had run beyond the last defender in the build-up.

Villa, undeterred, pushed back with purpose. A flowing move led by Boubacar Kamara ended with Declan Rice blocking Matty Cash's fierce strike, but Villa found their breakthrough in the 37th minute.

Pau Torres' cross bounced off Timber's attempted clearance and fell perfectly for Cash, who drove his shot through Raya's legs to give Villa a deserved lead. Arsenal pushed before half-time, but routine stops from Ben White and Rice's efforts kept Villa in front.

Mikel Arteta reacted strongly at the interval, making a double change, and Arsenal responded with sustained pressure. Leandro Trossard went close twice before finally levelling seven minutes after coming on, reacting quickest to turn home after Martinez got a hand to Saka's low delivery.

Villa regrouped, with Watkins forcing more saves and Ian Maatsen firing over, but Arsenal still carved out big chances. Martínez produced a superb stop to deny Odegaard, and Kamara blocked Saka's follow-up effort as the game became frantic.

Arsenal pushed late through Donyell Malen and Noni Madueke, but both missed narrowly. Then came the decisive moment. Deep into added time, Villa kept a loose ball alive in the Arsenal box, and Buendía reacted with composure, steering his finish into the corner to ignite Villa Park and clinch their seventh straight win in all competitions.

The result lifted Villa to second place, just three points behind Arsenal, and brought an end to Arsenal's impressive 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions, sending a powerful message about Villa's growing momentum in the title race.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker delighted by season start