Gabriel Agbonlahor's late goal secured all three points for Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and dealt another blow to Arsenal's slim title hopes.
Villa took the lead on 70 minutes when an Ashley Young cross, aimed for Agbonlahor, was headed into his own net by Gael Clichy.
10 minutes later, while Arsenal were searching for an equaliser, Villa hit them on the break.
Aston Villa skipper, Martin Laursen, launched a long ball forward which Agbonlahor latched onto. The Villa striker eased past a flimsy Gallas challenge to rifle the ball into the bottom corner.
The Midlanders were in fine form after a string of disappointing results in the Premier League. Villa came out of the blocks quickly and could, perhaps should, have been one up in the first half.
Ashley Young was brought down by Theo Walcott in Arsenal's box, Mike Riley having no other option but to award a penalty to the visitors. Young stepped up for the ensuing penalty, but Almunia was equal to it and made a fine save.
Martin O'Neill's game plan was just about perfect on this occasion. Villa made full use of their pacey front men, Young and Agbonlahor, to hit Arsenal on the counter attack, time and time again.
Martin O'Neill said: "We were magnificent and the players were very strong mentally today. I thought we were brilliant because it was a case of the players staying strong, being positive and having a real belief that we could win.”
The result adds to Arsenal's woes this season, after a fantastic result over Manchester United last week, they have seemingly returned to their inconsistent selves and seem unlikely to mount any concerted title challenge this season.
O'Neill's Villa side continue to look likely to challenge for Champions League qualification come the end of the season, and are now on 23 points—level with Arsenal.
O'Neill re-emphasised Villa's belief that they can compete with the top teams like Arsenal, he said: “Today there was more than a great resilience about the side. We were absolutely majestic. We played wonderful football and deserved to win the game."
16 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Willie Gannon 7 months ago
Good re-cap William.
Villa were very good today. Wenger made a mistake in his starting line up, going with the same team as the one who beat Utd.
The Arsenal team are designed to play against sides like Utd. And they were always going to find it tough against any Martin O'Neill team, Villa are the best team he's managed.
Wait til the end of the season when the O'Neill to replace Ferguson (when he retires) chant starts.
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William Cooper 7 months ago
Thanks Willie, glad you liked it.
I pray that Man U don't come after MO'N, it would absolutely break my heart if O'Neill left the Villa before the job was done. Martin is irreplaceable.
Damn it, I'm worried he'll leave now.
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Yoosof Farah 7 months ago
good article william, i always like reading your match reports. they are well written and are the right length, not too short, and more importantly not too long. a great result for the villa today, and a great one for the aston villa community here on b/r. we'll get our five minutes of fame now that a load of articles will come our way from arsenal supporters annoyed that their team lost.
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William Cooper 7 months ago
Thanks very much Yoosof.
hahahah, thats very true. In fact I look forward to reading whiney Arsenal fans views of their club who, incidently, are going to finish fifth this season.
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Maire Ofeire 7 months ago
"whiney Arsenal fans views" - I'm looking forward to them too LOL it seems we are going to get relegated now LOL
Villa deserved their victory but just to put a damper on your celebrations William I can see O'Neill becoming the next manager of United, I've said it before. He'd be my number one for the job.
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Shyam Parthasarathi 7 months ago
"whiney Arsenal fans views" - while you're right to criticize "us," please don't generalize.
Read Mary's, or my article about the match - we're more than gracious in defeat - I'm not saying all of us are, but recognize that at least.
Villa played well yesterday - if Arsenal finish above fifth, I'll be around to question your statement - which has been made in haste to say the least.
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Shyam Parthasarathi 7 months ago
And for a balanced match review - you've forgotten to mention the fact that the ref. completely ignored the most blatant foul of Carlos Vela in the build up to Villa's second goal.
If anything, you should acknowledge that.
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Maire Ofeire 7 months ago
You mean "Mickey Mouse" missed a blatant foul LOL
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William Cooper 7 months ago
Apologies Shyam, I didn't mean to offend you.
I've read many of your reports and don't count you as a "whiney Arsenal fan".
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William Cooper 7 months ago
Shyam,
I don't think the referee is the story here. The main news/story here is O'Neill's tactical victory over Wenger, in addition to Agbonlahor and Young's pace being used to counter attack Arsenal's some what fragile defence; which I think I've covered.
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Jermaine Koko 7 months ago
While there was case for Vela being fouled, it was a type of challenge that are sometimes given and sometimes not. The fact that it wasn't given is not a big surprise, hence our second goal is completely valid and fair!
On the article and result! I absolutely loved it. Young was stunning and I could feel a chance coming everytime he was in possession and it rubbed off on the rest of the team. Barry continued his rather subdued performances but he was at least decent this time. Gabby played Gallas, exactly they way you should. He used his mind and pace. Gallas could not cope with him for his goal. Laursen had an amazing game too. Although Arsenal's passing was mezmerising at times, he stood his ground and led his young team mates by example. Great, great game.
Wonderful recap Will.
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William Cooper 7 months ago
Thanks Jermaine, glad you liked it, appreciate your kind words.
It certainly was a great game and one to savour. I thought Barry did OK in spells, but he's not the same player he was last year, and needs to perform more consistently.
Laursen and Davies were immense at the back and what else can you say about Gabby other than... he's fast as f**k, he's fast as f**k!
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Shyam Parthasarathi 7 months ago
Ok, I'm not going to make this sound like a "whinge." - but common!
He was clearly taken down by Davies, the idiotic ref. had a clear view of it.. and instead of it being a direct free kick to Arsenal, Villa knock the ball towards Agbonlahor who scored.
It wasn't a surprise.. and I don't really care about the validity of the goal - but you've at least got to be honest enough to admit that it was a foul.
Had the same thing happened to Villa, I'm quite sure you'd raise the point..
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Jermaine Koko 7 months ago
To be honest Shyam, I dont really care what you thought you saw either. There is a case for a foul and I wouldn't be surprised if it were given but thats all. It wasn't a stonewall foul so i dont know what your crying about.
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Joseppio 7 months ago
How Friggin good is Agbonlahor. The kid's pure gold. I reckon Villa are going to struggle holding onto him. And Shyam, you're starting to sound like a 'whiney Arsenal fan';-)
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William Cooper 7 months ago
Thanks for the comment Joe,
Agbonlahor surprises me every time I see him play. I always think he's a Darius Vassel clone (fast, but rubbish) Gabby is a quality player though, and his goal record is very impressive for a young lad.
We'll see if we can hang onto him, I think the club is going in the right direction so hopefully Villa won't have to sell if the big clubs come calling, but maybe that's wishful thinking on my part.
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