Arsenal bounce back against Villa

Arsenal 2 Aston Villa 1

Midfielder Lee Hendrie handed Aston Villa a shock third-minute lead at Highbury only for Arsenal to respond with gusto as they reclaimed the lead before half-time.

Villa stand-in keeper Stefan Postma, making his first start of the season, performed miracles after Hendrie’s early strike but there was still no respite from the constant attacks by the home side.

Robert Pires struck the equaliser from the penalty spot after Thierry Henry had been brought down and then the French striker himself put his side ahead on the stroke of half-time.