Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 4: Gunners survive a touch of deja vu and repel late onslaught
In the battle of the French generals, it was Arsene Wenger who had the more potent weapons. They are called Arsenal, after all. [LNB]And how he and they needed thevictory after two defeats in the past week. [LNB]For a few brief buthorrifying moments for their supporters, it did look as if a reprise ofthe derby debacle against Tottenham might be in the bitterly chill WestMidlands air as they wobbled again when two goals up. [LNB] Star man: Marouane Chamakh is grabbed by Tomas Rosicky after firing Arsena's third[LNB]In the end, however, they were well worth a comfortable win. [LNB]The latest Gunners crisis is on ice.For injury-ravaged Villa, it was a second consecutive defeat and underGerard Houllier they now have just one victory in nine league matches. [LNB]He and his team could certainly dowith a Carling Cup quarter-final victory at neighbours Birmingham Cityon Wednesday to lift spirits. [LNB]As last Saturday, Arsenal were twoup at half-time, this time through Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri, butit might have been more. [LNB]Poor Robert Pires, so glorious forthe Gunners, was so off the pace on his first start for Villa againsthis former club at 37 that Houllier withdrew him at the interval. [LNB]Reorganised Villa then fought theirway back into the game, with the promising holding midfielder CiaranClark pulling a goal back and all of a sudden, there were echoes of aweek ago.[LNB] Even Wenger sensed it. [LNB]'I felt that last week had an impact in their head,' he admitted. 'We could crumble or score again, and we scored again.' [LNB] Back in the game: Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark makes it 3-2[LNB]Relieved that the charge of mental fragility would not be levelled again,' he added: 'This team are very interesting. [LNB]'They are on the same wavelength and they fight for each other. There is a lot more to come from this team.' [LNB]At least Villa also discovered some fight within themselves. [LNB]After Marouane Chamakh'smatch-turning third goal, Clark headed his second, only for JackWilshere's added-time strike, his first in the league for Arsenal, toseal matters.[LNB] It was a day when Arsenal's bigplayers - even if they are diminutive in stature - stood up, respondingto the loss of Cesc Fabregas through injury by filling the creativevoid. [LNB]The growing Nasri was again excellent but it was Arshavin, hitherto fitful this season, who produced the telling contribution. [LNB]Villa were caught cold, butArsenal's early finishing was wayward as shots from promising positionspeppered Brad Friedel's goal.[LNB] Fine strike: Andrey Arshavin (right) breaks the deadlock[LNB]Finally, Arshavin opened thescoring, a midfield mix-up between James Collins and Luke Youngoffering the Russian the chance to run on and drill home a lowcross-shot from the left. [LNB]Nasri's second, volleyed home neatlyfrom the edge of the penalty area from Arshavin's left-wing corner,doubled the lead just before the interval and Villa, flat and lackingpace with Marc Albrighton and Gabby Agbonlahor missing, were jeeredoff. [LNB]Their only goal attempt of the firsthalf, even if it was clear-cut, had seen Ashley Young touching StewartDowning's low cross over the bar. [LNB]Houllier acted by sparing Pires further punishment, and rearranging his components to 4-4-2. [LNB] Plain sailing? Samir Nasri hits Arsenal's second to make it 2-0[LNB][LNB]Suddenly Villa looked dangerous andArsenal were suffering flashbacks. Clark volleyed in Ashley Young'scorner and the comeback was on. [LNB]Then Tomas Rosicky, playing in theFabregas role just off a lead striker, slipped Chamakh through and hetoe-poked the ball past Friedel. Cue Arsenal relief at 3-1. [LNB]'It was just a shame we couldn't go another 10 minutes without conceding,' lamented Houllier. [LNB] [LNB] Familiar face: Robert Pires lined up against his former club[LNB] [LNB]TEAMSASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1) Friedel; Young, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; Clark, Bannan (Herd 86min); Downing, Pires (Delfouneso 46), Young; Carew (Ireland 66). Subs (not used): Guzan, Beye, Hogg, Lichaj. Booked: Clark.[LNB]ARSENAL (4-2-3-1) Fabianski; Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy; Song, Wilshere; Nasri (Gibbs 85), Rosicky (Djourou 90), Arshavin (Denilson 85); Chamakh. Subs (not used): Szczesny, Van Persie, Walcott, Bendtner. Booked: Chamakh.Referee: M Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear). Attendance: 38,544[LNB]His side did get back into it when Richard Dunne headed Ashley Young's corner goalwards - Arsenal again looking wobbly under a high ball - and Clark arrived to head the ball home off the underside of the crossbar. [LNB]But after that, the home side could only huff and puff, though Wenger paid them the compliment of bringing on defensive players in Denilson and Kieran Gibbs to replace Arshavin and Nasri, who looked less than happy about it.[LNB] A Villa equaliser then would have been undeserved but when Chamakh broke and crossed for Wilshere to score with a diving header, the result was a more accurate reflection of the game. [LNB]'We have to be honest. We were beaten by a team better than us,' conceded Houllier. He was asked if it illustrated how much work he had to do at the club.[LNB] 'Yes,' came the simple answer. [LNB]For Arsenal, the side with the best away record in the Premier League, the challenge now is to start winning at home. [LNB]Wigan in the Carling Cup on Tuesday provides an excellent chance in a competition that offers the possibility of a first trophy in five years. [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Touchline meltdown: But Wenger and Houllier can handle the pressureFabregas backs beloved Barca to see off their bitter rivals Real MadridAston Villa v Arsenal: The action as it happenedARSENAL FC
