Arsenal 3, Aston Villa 0: Lisa Smith's big match verdict
Dec 28 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail
VILLA’S foray into nosebleed territory hit the skids as they came off second best in this playground scrap with Arsenal.
But Martin O’Neill’s side were certainly no pushovers and can take some pride from their performance against Arsene Wenger’s foreign legion of stars.
Some valiant defending did not deserve the 3-0 defeat on a day when the Villa back four were once again right at it.
Their resilience for more than 60 minutes was inspiring as they went in search of their fifth successive clean sheet and in the end only tired legs and a late lapse in concentration cost them.
Villa had gone into this festive fixture looking for a unique victory over the so-called Big Four, having already outwitted Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
And they battled solidly until the 62nd minute when their efforts were thwarted by the appearance of Cesc Fabregas from the bench.
The player, just back from injury, had only been on the field five minutes when he won a free-kick after a rare slip by Richard Dunne.
He stepped up and struck it sweetly to beat the outstretched palm of Brad Friedel before doubling his tally when he outran the jaded Villa defence in the 81st minute for his ninth strike of the season.
A third from Abou Diaby ensured the Londoners will be partying hardest come New Year but Villa can take some heart from this battle.
Fabregas was key but it was another Spaniard, Villa’s own Carlos Cuellar, who once again turned in an awe-inspiring defensive display.
Cuellar, who like so many of O’Neill’s side have World Cup aspirations this year, twice hooked the ball off the line to save his side before Fabregas’ heroics.
O’Neill had again chosen an unchanged side with Emile Heskey shrugging off a groin strain.
The last time these two sides met at Christmas was a 2-2 stalemate at Villa Park last Boxing Day and a draw looked on the cards in the first half as Villa chased a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
From the second minute Stewart Downing was testing Manuel Almunia before a foul on Diaby by Cuellar gave Arsenal a free-kick.
Samir Nasri took it and tried to pick out Thomas Vermaelen but Cuellar got a touch before Friedel and, in turn, Stephen Warnock were hooking it to safety.
