Arsenal 0 Aston Villa 2

Nov 17 2008 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

Barry, Stiliyan Petrov and Steve Sidwell simply strangled the life out of supposedly the best passers in the Premier League.

Ashley Young fought back from a woeful penalty miss to produce arguably his finest game, James Milner was a mixture of tigerish snarl and whimsical skill.

And then there was Gabby Agbonlahor.

In April 2006 he was a second-half substitute for Villa as the brilliant Thiery Henry ripped them apart.

He still finding his feet a few months later in that first drawn game with Arsenal at their magnificent new ground.

Last season he was very much a force to be reckoned with.

But here he was at his unbelievable best. Almost unplayable – strong as an ox and as quick as a lightning bolt.

All this without his usual partner in crime John Carew.

Named on the bench after a hip problem he has never been the same – apart from a few magical moments against Wigan – since breaking a late-night curfew ahead of the Ajax game.

The Norwegian will be fortunate indeed to get his place back now.

Four of this side later celebrated England call-ups in the shape of Davies, Agbonlahor, Barry and Ashley Young.

On this form the surprise was that one or two others, namely Luke Young, James Milner and Steve Sidwell, didn’t join them.

It had taken Villa four-and-half years to win in London when they broke the hoodoo at Tottenham earlier this season. Now they just can’t stop.

They should have been in front when Theo Walcott caught Ashley Young late inside the area.

With regular penalty-taker Barry having received treatment for an injury he was barred from re-entering the field of play – so Ashley Young got the nod.

But Manuel Almunia made a routine save from a shot best described as poor.

Ashley Young and Agbonlahor combined neatly to set up Barry, whose shot was held by Almunia.

The vital first goal arrived when Ashley Young’s cross from the left was headed into his own net by Gael Clichy, under pressure from Agbonlahor.

The second arrived 10 minutes from time. A huge punt upfield from Laursen landed between Agbonlahor and William Gallas.

There was only ever going to be one winner and the striker rifled a low shot past Almunia.

The away section went into delirium at the final whistle and the Villa players celebrated like they had won the FA Cup.

There was even the sight of O’Neill hugging Barry.

Who could ever have forseen that a couple of months ago?