Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League Game

Mesut Ozil made his first Premier League start in four months to inspire Arsenal to a five-goal romp over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

The Germany international set up Olivier Giroud for an eighth-minute opener with a sublime flick before becoming the beneficiary of a return assist from the striker to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

Theo Walcott was another Gunners star who scored, and he added a third in the 63rd minute after good work from Santi Cazorla.

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The midfielder also ended up on the scoresheet when he stroked home a 75th-minute penalty after substitute Chuba Akpom had been fouled by Brad Guzan.

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin added the fifth score of the afternoon when he side-footed home his first goal for the club from outside of the area in the second minute of injury-time.

The win marked a further upturn in Arsenal's fortunes in recent weeks as they claimed a third successive league triumph.

But Villa manager Paul Lambert and his team remain in freefall as they wait for their first league win since Dec. 7.

Francis Coquelin returned to the Arsenal lineup, while Mesut Ozil started in place of the injured Alexis Sanchez. New signing Gabriel Paulista was named on the bench by Arsene Wenger, alongside in-form Tomas Rosicky.

Fabian Delph returned to the Aston Villa starting XI as captain, while Carles Gil made his full debut. New loan signing Scott Sinclair was on the bench.

Walcott had a chance to mark his first Premier League start in 13 months with an early goal after a through ball from Aaron Ramsey, but Jores Okore was quick to cut the danger in the second minute.

In the eighth minute, though, Ozil made his own mark on the game after a four-month absence from league duty when he flicked a pass into Giroud's path. The French striker looked to have lost control of the ball under his feet as he chased forward but recovered to fire past Brad Guzan.

The Gunners were in control of the game, with Walcott's pace worrying Villa and Ozil enjoying his own return to league action with some fine form.

Cazorla went close in the 27th minute when he chased through the middle before striking the post after collecting a one-two from Giroud.

Ozil had the ball in the back of the net on the half-hour mark, but the strike was ruled out after Cazorla was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.

Villa offered little threat to Arsenal throughout the first period, but Gil was at least intent on doing his bit for the visitors with some forward forays.

David Ospina was finally called into action in the final five minutes of the first period when he dived to his left to deny an Andreas Weimann header.

There was an early second-half chance for Villa when Weimann found Christian Benteke, but the striker screwed his shot wide.

In the 56th minute, however, Arsenal effectively sealed the win. Walcott broke from within his own half before laying the ball off to Giroud.

The striker moved forward a few yards before finding Ozil with a perfectly weighted pass with the outside of his left boot. The Germany international chased into the area before sending it beyond Guzan.

Eight minutes later, Arsenal increased their lead. Ospina bowled the ball out to Walcott on the left wing, and he found Cazorla in the centre of the pitch.

The midfielder moved forward before playing a great pass into the area where Walcott picked it up before hitting the back of the net.

Lambert brought on Sinclair for Tom Cleverley, while Gabriel Agbonlahor replaced Weimann.

Walcott was replaced by Rosicky, and Giroud came off for Akpom with 20 minutes remaining.

Four minutes after his entrance, Akpom got the better of Okore inside the area but was felled by Guzan.

The referee pointed to the spot from where Cazorla added a fourth for the Gunners, although the U.S. international got a hand to the ball. 

Wenger made his final change in the 77th minute when Mathieu Flamini replaced Ramsey with the points long since won.

Arsenal continued to chase for a fifth goal, and Akpom almost achieved it in injury-time. Guzan saved well; however, the fifth goal came from an unexpected source. 

Cazorla danced at the edge of the area and looked likely to shoot, but instead chose to pass to his right, where Bellerin was chasing in before side-footing home from outside of the box. 

Selected Player Ratings

Mesut Ozil: A+

The Germany international produced a sublime flick for Giroud's opener in a great first-half display, looking sharp on his Premier League return after four months out and deserving his second-half goal.

Carles Gil: A-

This game featured some solid work from the new signing in the Aston Villa midfield. He looked to create chances where he could in a challenging match.

Theo Walcott: A

Making his first Premier League start in 13 months, Walcott was full of energy and running throughout the game.

What's ahead

Arsenal will now turn their attention to the North London derby next Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur.

Aston Villa will lock horns with Premier League leaders Chelsea at Villa Park on the same day.

Post-Match Reaction