Aston Villa vs. Arsenal: Score, Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match
Arsenal cruised to the top of the Premier League on Sunday, heaping more misery on struggling Aston Villa with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Villa Park.
Olivier Giroud, fresh from a Champions League hat-trick against Olympiakos in midweek, kicked off the scoring with a well-taken penalty. Aaron Ramsey then got in on the act before half-time to condemn the hosts to their 15th league game without a win.
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It took the Gunners just eight minutes to open the scoring, Theo Walcott adjudged to have been clumsily hauled down by Alan Hutton in the box.
Referee Kevin Friend took his time to make the decision but undoubtedly called it right. Giroud then sent Villa stopper Brad Guzan the wrong way to chalk up his 50th Premier League goal for the club—as Sky Sports Statto revealed:
Arsenal were in complete control throughout the opening period and at times looked as if they were in the middle of a training session.
It was a case of when the Gunners would find the net again rather than if, and the moment came on 38 minutes through Ramsey.
The Welshman won the ball back on the edge of his own penalty area to launch a blistering counter-attack. Mesut Ozil was then played in one-on-one with Guzan, where he intelligently and unselfishly squared the ball for his midfield partner to tap home.
The goal marked the 13th assist of the season for Ozil, who received some tongue-in-cheek praise from Gary Lineker for his contribution:
Villa quite simply looked out of ideas against the Gunners. Only Jordan Ayew showed any kind of invention for Remi Garde's men in the opening period, while the likes of Rudy Gestede and Jordan Veretout were virtually nonexistent.
Still, you can take nothing away from Arsenal for the way they controlled the game, and celebrity fan Piers Morgan was optimistic at the interval:
Villa came out looking a little fresher in the second half, as they pressed to try to get back into the match and had the visitors on the back foot at times.
Carles Gil's introduction in place of Gestede gave Garde's side a little more invention going forward, but in truth, Petr Cech was never troubled in the Arsenal goal.
Presenter Sam Matterface wasn't convinced by Villa's response, and he compared watching the home side to a frustrating day of Christmas shopping:
The Gunners, meanwhile, were just happy to see out the 2-0 victory and enjoy being top of the Premier League. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey had a few half-chances to add a third goal, although the whole side were very much in auto-pilot mode.
London Evening Standard's James Olley reflected on just how comfortable Arsene Wenger's side were at the final whistle:
The Gunners now sit one point clear of Manchester City, who they take on next Monday at the Emirates ahead of the busy Christmas schedule.
A win will fully demonstrate Arsenal's title-winning credentials, although based on Sunday's performance, they're already clear for all to see.
Villa, meanwhile, enter a more generous run of fixtures, and they simply have to pick up points to stand any chance of survival.
Reaction
Arsenal goalscorer and man of the match Ramsey was in high spirits after the game, telling Sky Sports he believes the Gunners are good enough to challenge for the title, per BBC Sport:
"We believe we have an opportunity to win the title. We have shown what we are capable of and have to continue now, in what is a busy part of the season. We have to maintain our focus and belief. Who knows what will happen, but we believe we can challenge for trophies.
"
Wenger, meanwhile, was quick to praise the impact of Giroud, whose goal was his fifth in eight days for the Gunners:
The Arsenal boss also spared a thought for countryman and former Arsenal player Garde, saying he's the right man to turn Villa's season around and that survival is still possible:
Garde shared Wenger's view in his post-match interview, as he said that despite his side's lack of form, they still have what it takes to pick up points:
