Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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Full Time PEEP PEEP, ARSENAL WIN! They left it late but Yossi Benayoun's late header claims a valuable three points for Arsene Wenger's men. They may not have been at their best but they got the points and that's all that matters
94
Red Card HUTTON SENT OFF: A late challenge on Vermaelen to the left of the box sees the Scot earn a silly red card
93
Yellow Card HUTTON BOOKED: After a set to with Benayoun, the Scot is yellow carded
92
CHANCE VILLA: Bannan's chipped corner into the box is headed through to Hutton but he fires it over. Only a half chance, but slightly nervy times
91
INTO ADDED TIME: Four minutes to play overall
90
ARTETA SHOT: The Spaniard moves forward into space and fires a firm shot that is comfortably saved by Guzan
88
Substitution VILLA CHANGE: Nathan Delfouneso replaces Marc Albrighton
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Benayoun, Rosicky and Arshavin have come on and made a difference. What a turnaround.
87
WHAT A TIME TO SCORE: Benayoun dipped his head beautifully to reach Van Persie's corner to head home. Surely the winner!
Top Comments:
@MuppetGooner on Twitter says:
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
87
GOAL! - Yossi Benayoun 1 : 2 GOAL ARSENAL! Yossi Benayoun heads home
86
ARSHAVIN JUST OVER: The Russian cuts in from the left and hits a firm shot which deflects off Hutton and dips just over the bar for a corner.
85
PATIENT BUILD UP: Arsenal move it about on the edge of the box, but when the ball breaks to Rosicky his effort is blocked
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Urgency, fluent from Arsenal - they were excellent with their passing there. With five minutes to go that's what they need.
83
TIME FOR A LAST PUSH: With fresh legs, Arsenal really need to up the tempo and take the game to Villa. Seven minutes to go
81
Substitution ...while Yossi Benayoun replaces Aaron Ramsey
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
It's an attacking change for Arsenal - they need a goal from somewhere after all.
81
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGES: Andrey Arshavin comes on for Gervinho...
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PETROV FIRES WIDE: A free kick 30 yards out for Villa is wasted by Petrov, who blasts well wide
78
Yellow Card VAN PERSIE BOOKED: The Dutch striker is taken out on the edge of the box by Warnock, but somehow he is booked for diving. A strange decision
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Van Persie is looking for it a little bit, but I really don't think that's a yellow card. He did have contact there.
77
ARSENAL PUSHING ON: This game is up for grabs and Wenger's side are trying to force a winner, but to no avail so far
Top Comments:
@cdeells on Twitter says:
We need someone to run at the Villa defence and shoot! Are we really still waiting for the Ox to be unleashed??
75
VILLA PARK COMES ALIVE: A good spell of home pressure sees Villa win a corner but it is easily cleared
73
CLOSE FOR ARSENAL: Arteta's whipped in corner from the left glances off the head of Dunne and flies across goal but no-one can get a decisive touch
Top Comments:
@Steveb207 on Twitter says:
With Spurs and/or Chelsea going to drop points tomorrow we need to win, COYG!
72
FRUSTRATING TIMES: Arsenal are seeing more of the ball now after weathering the Villa storm somewhat after the goal, but can't make it count
69
HANDBALL! NO! Ramsey tried to chip the ball into space on the break past Cuellar and it looked a handball by the Spaniard, but referee Moss waves play on
Top Comments:
@Kabinho23 on Twitter says:
Tomas Rosicky already making a difference, that's the spark we needed
67
BETTER FROM ARSENAL: A good period of possession sees Rosicky win a corner on the right,which is scrambled clear by Villa
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It's a little bit of quality from Rosicky. That change has made a difference for Arsenal - they're asking different questions now.
66
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Tomas Rosicky comes on in place of Emmanuel Frimpong
Top Comments:
@dcreeg on Twitter says:
Maybe @Alex_OxChambo time?
65
CORNER ARSENAL: Walcott's cross is cut out for a corner, Van persie delivers it but Petrov heads it out again, before Villa eventually clear the next set piece
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Aston Villa haven't looked particularly good on corners yet, despite Cuellar and Dunne being involved. Dunne is having a big game tonight so far, though.
64
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC: Villa really are in charge of this one now and can't seem to get hold of the ball
62
ARSENAL SUBS WARMING UP: A change could be in the offing, as Chamakh, Benayoun and Rosicky stretch on the touchline
61
ARSENAL BEING PUSHED BACK: Villa are swarming forward confidently now and Wenger's side are being forced to play very much on the back foot
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Let's see how Arsenal can respond now - they need a change, a lift. It's all Aston Villa at the moment.
59
CLARK HIGH AND WIDE: After a good spell of Villa pressure, Ciaran Clark takes aim, but is well of target
57
VILLA TAILS ARE UP: The home crowd have found their voice and this really is game on now. Arsenal have to respond to the challenge
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Villa have responded well - they've had good chances and now they've taken one.
56
RECORD GOAL: That strike by Albrighton was the 20,00th Premier League goal, I'm told
55
CLOSE BY MERTESACKER: A scramble in the Villa box sees the ball fall to the big German and his snap shot is saved by Guzan
Top Comments:
@HenrySheehan on Twitter says:
The 20,000th Premier League goal and a kick in the nuts for Arsenal...
54
GOAL! - Marc Albrighton 1 : 1 GOAL TO VILLA: Albrighton preys on a defensive mix up and beats Mertesacker to a backpass and fires under Szczesny
52
VILLA FRUSTRATION SETTING IN: Petrov is spoken to for a foul on Coquelin and the home fans are getting more and more frustrated
51
CORNER ARSENAL: Coquelin does well to release Walcott down the right but Warnock slides in to put it out. The set piece comes to nothing though
Top Comments:
@gunnerthai on Twitter says:
Wonder when will Wenger will unleash the Ox from the bench?
50
A SLOW START: Neither side have really come flying out of the blocks here, and the first moans and groans from the home fans can be heard now
48
JUST CUT OUT: Van Persie tried to release Ramsey down the left on the counter but Cuellar just gets there before the Welshman
Top Comments:
@phhilchhow on Twitter says:
That was a bit dangerous! But @13Szczesny13 's got safe hands...
47
BIG HALF FOR ARSENAL: Wenger's side needed a response after losing at Manchester City, and while they lead here their performance was not as dominant as they would have liked in the first half
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
If they win, Manchester City will just be a blip.
Kick Off AND WE'RE OFF AGAIN: Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey take the first touches of the second period
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#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
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GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
Half Time PEEP PEEP: The whistle goes for half-time after an exciting first 45 at Villa Park. Villa have been in charge for much of it, but gave away a soft penalty, and Robin van Persie did what he does best
45
JUST WIDE: Barry Bannan's first touch is to curl the ball inches wide of the top left hand corner
45
Substitution VILLA SUBSTITUTION: Barry Bannan comes on for Stephen Ireland
44
Yellow Card MERTESACKER BOOKED: N'Zogbia breaks clear and runs at Mertesacker, who trails out a leg and the winger goes down.
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NEARLY: Mertesacker punts a long ball down the right channel which Gervinho does well to keep in. The Ivorian then sends in a cross that just evades Van Persie
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
I think Aston Villa have just conceded some ground now. They're on their heels now and inviting Arsenal on. I'm just a little worries about the breaks now.
41
ALBRIGHTON BREAK: The Villa midfielder bursts down the right once more, but again his cross isn't good enough and Szczesny claims it
Top Comments:
@kts_gunner on Twitter says:
Now only four goals left until the Premier League's 20,000th!
38
Yellow Card CLARK BOOKED: A late challenge on Mikel Arteta earns the Villa midfielder a yellow card
37
THAT'S GOT TO HURT: Van Persie spins away from Petrov and lets fly with a crashing drive. It hits Cuellar straight on, and he doesn't look too happy about it
35
WHIPPED IN: Walcott steers a good cross in from the left but Dunne powers past Van Persie to head clear. The game has settled a bit now
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Aston Villa have certainly contributed to a good game of football so far, although thankfully Arsenal have a one-goal lead at the moment.
33
CONSUMMATE DEFENDING: Koscielny wins the header, which comes back at him, but he wins the loose ball too and lays the ball off. Classy stuff
32
CHANCE RAMSEY! Gervinho takes a high ball down on the left flank and Van Persie touches it past the defender for Rambo to run onto, but he blasts the ball high and wide
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
He did have a covering defender but it's slashed and he got it all wrong. It was either going in the top corner or row z - sadly this was the latter.
31
SING WHEN YOU'RE LOSING: The Villa fans have found their voice as their side press hard for an equaliser
30
WALCOTT'S MISPLACED PASS: The England forward wastes a promising position as he pass goes straight to Cuellar
Top Comments:
@kaitlin_wales on Twitter says:
Robin van Persie is a god among men. God among men I say!
28
CLOSE AGAIN FOR VILLA: The free kick skips across the box to Albrighton, who rolls it across the six-yard box but Agbonlahor can't reach it. Close - yet again
27
Yellow Card BOOKING FOR COQUELIN: The young Frenchman goes for the ball but crunches into N'Zogbia and gets the yellow card
Top Comments:
@shanenma on Twitter says:
Big test for Coquelin tonight. Full back is a specialised position, it's not an easy role to know when to attack and when to defend.
26
SKILLS: N'Zogbia performs a delightful backheel to escape Coquelin but his cross evades everyone
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DEFLECTION: Petrov's free kick hits the onrushing Frimpong and goes out for a Villa corner, which Arsenal eventually clear
24
DEBATABLE FOUL: Per Mertesacker appears to get the ball in a contest with Agbonlahor but a free kick is given 25 yards out for Villa
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
That was never a foul by the way, Mertesacker won that one absolutely cleanly.
23
VILLA COMING STRONG: Marc Albrighton delivers a dangerous ball in from the right, but Szczesny snatches it before Agbonlahor can pounce
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
That's Arsenal's first converted penalty of the season - of course, he missed in the defeat at Old Trafford.
21
CLOSING IN: Robin van Persie needs just two more to equal Alan Shearer's record for goals in a calender year, and three to beat it. Obviously
20
GET IN TOUCH: It's www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
Top Comments:
@JoTheGooner on Twitter says:
Can hear our fans singing... Sing up lads! Quality!
19
TAKING AIM: Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov lets fly from 25 yards with a low shot but it's easily saved
18
NEARLY TWO: Theo Walcott races onto a good ball over the top but his attempted lob is blocked by Brad Guzan. Close
Top Comments:
@saga4710 on Twitter says:
Lovely. GOOOAAALLL. He scores when he wants!
17
TAKING THEIR CHANCE: Having done very little for the opening period, Arsenal find themselves in front!
17
GOAL! - Robin van Persie 0 : 1 GOAL ARSENAL! Van Persie slams it high into the top corner
16
PENALTY ARSENAL! Theo Walcott breaks into the box and is dragged back by Ciaran Clark for a spot kick
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
He seemed to just get away from him and Clark just pulled him back. The referee had no choice.
15
CORNER ARSENAL: Gervinho tries to get a cross in but it's blocked by Dunne for a corner on the left
14
ASSURED DEFENDING: Under pressure at the back Vermaelen does well to steer it back to Szczesny. But Villa are in charge so far, it has to be said
12
UNSETTLING TIMES: Arsenal have been slower out of the blocks and Villa could easily be in front by now. They need to settle things down
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsene Wenger did suggest he would shuffle things around in the full back positions - ultimately whoever plays would be out of position anyway. He doesn't want to overuse anybody at this stage.
11
AND AGAIN: Charles N'Zogbia gets away from Coquelin and delivers a good cross in from the left but Agbonlahor crashes it over
Top Comments:
@Irene41015 on Twitter says:
Szczesny is worth his weight in gold!
9
DANGEROUS: Agbonlahor pounces on a moment of hesitancy in the Arsenal defence to spring through on the left, but a heavy touch sees the chance go
9
SHHH: The Arsenal fans are baiting the, it has to be said, quiet Villa fans
Top Comments:
@MichaelJJosephs on Twitter says:
Sitting at home, done for the year and about to watch the #Gunners. Good times ahead...
7
SO CLOSE: Looking at that again, Agbonlahor really should have done better. It was a great chance, but Szczesny reacted superbly to keep it out
7
GREAT SAVE: A short corner eventually sees the ball tossed into the box and Agbonlahor's header from six yards is palmed out by Szczesny
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Wojciech Szczesny with a terrific stop there - his reactions had to be lightning.
6
CORNER VILLA: Good work from Marc Albrighton wins the home side a corner
5
WASTEFUL: Two misplaced passes in the space of 30 seconds, one from Ireland the other from Laurent Koscielny. No pattern to this one yet
4
STRUGGLING: Stephen Warnock appeared to hurt himself in that challenge with Walcott and has some treatment. He looks okay to continue
Top Comments:
@Frimponged on Twitter says:
Agbonlahor, watch out dude! You'll be FRIMPONGED before you know it!
3
SPREADING IT ABOUT: Arsenal take early possession in the middle of the park, but their attack falters when Theo Walcott loses the ball
1
STUCK IN: Francis Coquelin has an early nibble at Stephen Ireland on the right touchline
Kick Off AND WE'RE OFF: Gabriel Agbonlahor and Stephen Ireland get us under way!
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
I'd like to think Arsenal will get the three points. The defeat at Manchester City didn't feel like one and they'll take a lot of credit from that.
HERE THEY COME: The two teams are out of the tunnel and onto a pristine Villa Park pitch
Top Comments:
@phhilchhow on Twitter says:
Massive feeling we will get it right today, putting last Sunday behind us.
HE'LL SCORE WHEN HE WANTS: The Arsenal fans are packed into one corner of Villa Park and showing their support for you know who
GET IN TOUCH: What do you think of Coquelin at right back? Or Frimpong in midfield? Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to e-mail our team - Dan and Richard will field your comments during the game
Top Comments:
@SambueS on Twitter says:
COYG, make us happy tonight. RvP, Gervinho, Walcott - please 'shoot on sight'. We need goals galore!
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
LOVELY SKILLS: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain delights the Gunners faithful with some lovely flicks and tricks as he troops back to the dressing room. Silky
OH ARSENAL WE LOVE YOU: The travelling support are in fine voice as the pre-match training drills take place
BLUE WEDNESDAY: Arsene Wenger's side will be wearing their blue change kit at Villa Park this evening
BIG DAY FOR COQUELIN: The young Frenchman has a tough challenge ahead of him against compatriot Charles N'Zogbia - can he keep him quiet?
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
Top Comments:
@halobabeee on Twitter says:
@Persie_Official to score the 20,000th premier league goal! COYG! Back to our winning mentality and reality!
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Dan and Richard - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
SUBSTITUTES: Marshall, Weimann, Williams, Collins, Bannan, Delph, Delfouneso.
ASTON VILLA: Guzan, Hutton, Dunne, Cuellar, Warnock, Albrighton, Petrov, Ireland, Clark, N’Zogbia, Agbonlahor.
SUBSTITUTES: Almunia, Squillaci, Rosicky, Benayoun, Arshavin, Chamakh, Oxlade-Chamberlain.
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Coquelin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Arteta, Frimpong, Ramsey, Walcott, Van Persie (c), Gervinho
TEAM NEWS: Francis Coquelin will play at right back tonight, with Emmanuel Frimpong coming into midfield for the suspended Alex Song
Tim Peters will be your presenter tonight and is joined in the studio by Adrian Clarke providing analysis. They will then go over to our commentary team of Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke before kick off
Our Matchday Show gets underway at 7.30pm (UK time), 15 minutes before kick off in the Midlands. Tune in for an exclusive pre-match interview with Arsene Wenger, highlights from the match at the Etihad Stadium and all the latest team news ahead of tonight’s game
We’re at Villa Park for a game that could help the Gunners keep the heat on their top four rivals following Sunday’s narrow defeat at Manchester City
Welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of tonight’s match against Aston Villa as Arsene Wenger’s side look to get back to winning ways
Aston Villa
22 GUZAN, Bradley
29 HUTTON, Alan
24 CUELLAR, Carlos
05 DUNNE, Richard
15 WARNOCK, Stephen
12 ALBRIGHTON, Marc
23 DELFOUNESO, Nathan (88)
19 PETROV, Stiliyan
07 IRELAND, Stephen
25 BANNAN, Barry (45)
06 CLARK, Ciaran
10 N'ZOGBIA, Charles
11 AGBONLAHOR, Gabriel
33 MARSHALL, ANDY
26 WEIMANN, ANDREAS
19 COLLINS, JAMES
WILLIAMS, DEREK
25 BANNAN, BARRY
16 DELPH, FABIAN
23 DELFOUNESO, NATHAN
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
22 COQUELIN, Francis
04 MERTESACKER, Per
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
08 ARTETA, Mikel
26 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel
07 ROSICKY, Tomas (66)
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
30 BENAYOUN, Yossi (81)
14 WALCOTT, Theo
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
27 GERVINHO
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (81)
01 ALMUNIA, MANUEL
18 SQUILLACI, SEBASTIEN
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
30 BENAYOUN, YOSSI
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
That was just unbelievable from Koscielny, he got there again and it's away for Arsenal.