Villa ruined Arsenal's title bid

Arsenal - Aston Villa 0:2

Aston Villa took on Arsenal in north London this afternoon looking to end a 15-year hex the Gunners had been enjoying as the Villans had not returned home with a victory since 1993. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger named the same eleven that started the Manchester United fixture last week.

Within minutes of kick-off the away side, looking to get a result after back-to-back defeats, found space down the left and an effervescent Ashley Young tested Manuel Almunia with a low drive but the Spaniard shot-stopper saved well.

For Arsenal, Theo Walcott had the better of Luke Young and lay a cross just a touch to far for tall Danish targetman Nicklas Bentdner who reaches for the header and is unable to trouble Brad Friedel. One minute later Walcott again got behind the Villa defence but cannot find a team-mate with the pass.

A controversial penalty call earned the midlands club an 18th minute penalty as Walcott was deemed to have impeded Young, but the England hopeful failed to convert the spot kick as Almunia palmed away an admittedly weak effort.

Villa continued to threaten and Agbonlahor held the ball up well after the half hour mark to lay a pass into Gareth Barry's path but his shot is blocked by Almunia.

The midlands club went into the break knowing they had gotten the better of Arsenal. The Gunners midfield lacked spark, and Bentdner had little service to take advantage of.

Theo Walcott took the initiative for Arsenal in the second 45, but his shots failed to penetrate Friedel's goal.

And three minutes after Carlos Vela replaced Bentdner, Aston Villa silenced the home support with some brilliant build up play that resulted in an away goal. Agbonlahor took advantage of a Young cross and the shot takes a big deflection off of Gael Clichy to beat Almunia and send the away fans into raptures.

Ten minutes later Agbonlahor doubled Villa's advantage after a quick counter attack. Curtis Davies punted the ball upfield, switching an Arsenal attack to a swift Villans break, and insodoing caught out the Gunners defence as an electric Agbonlahor placed a well-taken shot round Almunia. Arsene Wenger though may question the decision to allow play to carry on after what appeared to be a clear foul at the other end.

Arsenal had chances to peg one back. Friedel, for instance, produced a fantastic save to keep Fabregas at bay, but Villa held on for the win.

While the Gunners conceded two goals it may be easier to criticise their defence, but it was clear that their midfield lacked any intuition. Denilson though tried to push on by breaking up play and making good passes, but his midfield partner Fabregas' form is a far cry from his plaudit-filled season last campaign.


LINE UPS

Arsenal: Almunia - Silvestre; Clichy; Gallas; Sagna - Fabregas; Diaby; Denilson; Nasri; Bendtner; Walcott.

Aston Villa: Friedel - Cuellar; Young, Laursen; Davies - Barry; Petrov; Young; Sidwell; Milner - Agbonlahor.