Arsenal got their first Premier League win since the opening day of the season in a 3-minute spell which saw them ultimately, win the game.
Aston Villa XI: Guzan, Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar, Cissokho, Delph, Carlos Sánchez, Richardson, Weimann, Cleverley, Agbonlahor.
Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Özil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck.
Aston Villa started the better of the two sides, Fabian Delph forcing a save out of Wojciech Szczesny after the Pole’s clearance fell straight to the England man.
As the game grew on, Aston Villa looked more likely to break the deadlock, Andreas Weimann using his tireless running to earn corner after corner.
Arsenal opened the scoring when Danny Welbeck put a exquisite through ball into the path of Mesut Özil, who calmly slotted away his first ever away goal for Arsenal, just a sign that he is growing in confidence and adapting to this league.
Cool finish Mesut
79 seconds later, Aston Villa were falling apart, Özil and Welbeck exchanging neat passes before Ramsey fed Özil out wide, his cross was expertly tucked home by new signing Danny Welbeck, his first Arsenal goal.
Danny opens account
It was 3-0 and Aston Villa were toiling, Santi Cazorla, making his first league start of the season, his shot ricocheted into the path of Kieran Gibbs, his cross-shot was turned bizarrely into his own net by Aly Cissokho.
Mesut Özil was running the show for Arsenal, in his favoured ‘number 10’ position, he dictated play in and around the area and showing trickery, something which Aston Villa hadn’t really come to see this season.
A dull second half followed, but the three minute spell in the first half won the game for Arsenal and bluntly, killed the contest.
A first clean sheet of the season will boost confidence and ease the lack of defensive options in the ranks for Arsène Wenger and co.
Alexis Sánchez was unused, a hint that he may start in the Capital One Cup match against Southampton at the Emirates on Tuesday. Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski were all late substitutes as Arsenal prepare for the big one next weekend, Arsenal v Tottenham at the Emirates.
Player Ratings:
Aston Villa:
Guzan: 6
Hutton: 6
Senderos: 5
Vlaar: 5
Cissokho: 4
Delph: 7
Richardson: 5
Cleverley: 6
Sánchez. C: 6
Weimann: 7
Agbonlahor: 6
Arsenal:
Szczesny: 7
Chambers: 6.5
Mertesacker: 7
Koscielny: 7
Gibbs:7.5
Arteta: 6.5
Ramsey: 6
Cazorla: 6
ÖZIL: 9
Chamberlain: 7
Welbeck: 8.5
Full-Time: Aston Villa 0-3 Arsenal
Occasional writer who follows the Arsenal home and away. Dennis is our greatest ever.
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