Arsene Wenger's Gunners had responded to criticism last week by impressively beating Manchester United at the Emirates, but today they undid their good work by going down to an Aston Villa side whose speed and attacking verve left Arsenal with no answers.
Villa scored twice in the last 20 minutes to claim a deserved win - their first over Arsenal in 20 attempts since 1993 - and in so doing seriously undermined Arsenal's Premier League title challenge.
Gael Clichy headed Ashley Young's cross into his own net under pressure on 70 minutes, before Gabriel Agbonlahor sprinted clear on the counter to double Villa's lead 10 minutes later.
Earlier, Young's penalty was well saved by Manuel Almunia, while at the other end Brad Friedel saved from Cesc Fabregas in the first half and substitute Emmanuel Adebayor hit a post late on.
A frustrated Wenger reflected afterwards: "It was a very bad afternoon because we were not sharp physically and beaten everywhere in the first half.
"I felt overall Villa were the better side. It is frustrating because we played at a kind of pace today that is not our pace. Villa played very well, but we were not sharp or incisive enough.
"We can play very well, but at the top level performances have to be consistent.
"I always say the first sign of quality is consistency, so this was frustrating after beating Manchester United."
Villa have joined the Gunners on 23 points, and are now behind the London side in fifth place only on goal difference.
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