Gunners survive Villa storm to stay top

Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 2

Arsenal weathered a vastly-improved second half performance from Martin O’Neill’s side to maintain their unbeaten record and the leadership of the Premier League.

Craig Gardner had given Villa hope of their first win over the Gunners in 18 meetings when he put them ahead with his third goal of the campaign.

But Arsenal responded by handing out a footballing lesson for the remainder of the half and could easily have added to goals from Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor.

It means they have not tasted defeat in the league since April and in the process they brought an end to Villa’s run of four successive wins.

The Gunners had been a joy to watch in the opening 45 minutes with some delightful free-flowing football which often had Villa chasing shadows.

They stepped up a gear from the minute Villa went ahead and their one-touch play caused the home side constant problems.

Lassana Diarra and Alexander Hleb sparkled in midfield while Emmanuel Eboue was an effective outlet on the right flank.

Little was seen of the exciting forward play which had brought Villa 11 goals in the previous four games.

Villa were a different proposition after the break with Ashley Young more of a threat on the left wing and target man John Carew causing problems.

But the Gunners held firm with Kolo Toure and William Gallas solid performers at the heart of the Gunners back four.

Scott Carson was called upon to make the first meaningful save of the game, turning a low 25-yard drive from Emmanuel Eboue around the post.

Hleb made a powerful run into the Villa box but Carson rescued the home side with a perfectly timed tackle.

Then after 14 minutes Villa midfielder Gardner broke the deadlock,

Carew surged down the left flank before cutting into the Arsenal box and his cross deflected off two defenders before breaking to Gardner whose left-footed half volley was drilled past Almunia into the corner of the net.

Arsenal responded and Martin Laursen did well to get his body in the way of a powerful drive from Hleb.

The Denmark international got another crucial touch on a low drive from Emmanuel Adebayor which was enough to send it wide of the post.

But the visitors were building up momentum and in the 23rd minute they deservedly got back on level terms through Flamini’s second goal of the campaign.

Adebayor’s flick played in Emmanuel Eboue whose low cross took a deflection off Hleb to tee it up perfectly for Flamini whose well-struck shot flew past Carson.

Laursen’s knack for being in the right place at the right time again proved crucial in blocking another effort from Flamini.

Villa were forced to make a substitution after 30 minutes when Petrov, who had been doubtful before the game with an ankle injury, limped out of the action to be replaced by Shaun Maloney.

Arsenal were still the dominant force and Carson clung on to a rising shot from Hleb.

It was no surprise when Adebayor put the Gunners ahead after 36 minutes via his eighth goal of the season.

Bacary Sagna drilled an inviting cross into the box and Adebayor’s header flew past Carson despite the attentions of Olof Mellberg and Zat Knight.

Villa made a positive start to the second half and Laursen could have brought Villa level but he poked the ball wide from close range after good control by Carew had set up the opening.

Carew could have no complaints about being yellow-carded for a late challenge on Hleb which led to the midfielder being injured and replaced by Theo Walcott.

Young was now more of a threat and another inviting cross led to a Carew header thumping against the Gunners bar with Almunia well beaten.

But it was the nearest they came to finding a way through the Gunners’ rearguard.