Saturday February 23, 2013 Day 27 Finished Emirates Stadium

Arsenal 2 - 1 Aston Villa

  • Cazorla 6’, 85’
  • Weimann 68’

109 comments | Write your comment

  1. Premier League - Cazorla double gives Arsenal win to ease strain on Wenger

    Premier League - Cazorla double gives Arsenal win to ease strain on Wenger

    Santi Cazorla eased the strain on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with a double in a 2-1 home win over Aston Villa. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Arsenal
    • Aston Villa
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+4' There goes the final whistle! All over! A 2-1 win for the home side. Wenger thrilled with that result. Arsenal close to within one point of fourth-placed Spurs.
    • 90+1' Change coming here for Arsenal as Walcott departs the scene to be replacd by Laurent Koscielny.
    • 89' Walcott on the end of a pass from Cazorla, but his shot is saved well by Guzan. We are into four minutes of time added on here.
    • 88' This was Arsenal's 11th goal in the last 10 minutes of the match this Premier League season, joint most in the division this season with Reading. Szczesny off his line to gather up a cross ball from Lowton.
    • 87' Wenger attempting to calm matters by sending on another substitute here. Arsenal surely can't blow this winning hand?
    • 86' Arsenal with an enormous 24 shots at goal in this match. Six have hit the target. Walcott lifts a ball out of play from out wide.
    • 85' Podolski almost in for the second goal seconds before Cazorla struck. Arsenal finally rewarded for their attacking play in this second half.
    • 84' GOAL! Cazorla slides the loose ball into the net and Arsenal lead 2-1. Fine finish from Monreal's pass. That goal had been coming. Arsenal heading for three points.
    • 83' Dawkins has replaced N'Zogbia for Villa. Real rearguard action for them.
    • 82' Bennett doing well to read the pass from Arteta. Anywhere will do here for Villa at the moment.
    • 81' Wenger looking far from content in his technical area as Podolski just fails to connect with the Cazorla cutback.
    • 80' Mertesacker than nods wide from another Walcott corner as we head for these closing moments.
    • 79' Arsenal winning corner after corner at the moment, but finding little room in that Villa defence until Giroud is left unmarked. His header from Walcott's corner is tipped over by Guzan.
    • 78' Guzan does well to palm away a Walcott corner before hammering the loose ball up the park. Solid enough piece of goalkeeping.
    • 77' Villa have picked up plenty of these second balls. Mertesacker again doing well to cut out a cross. Arsenal earn another corner.
    • 76' A Cazorla corner is cleared by the Villa defence before a Giroud long-range hit is well held by Guzan in the Villa goal.
    • 75' On comes Podolski for the home side and off goes Jenkinson. Arsenal growing in desperation. Or at least that is how it appears.
    • 74' Clark blocking the attempted cross by Giroud. Another corner on its way for Arsenal.
    • 73' Arsenal haven't won at home against Aston Villa after conceding at least one goal since a 3-1 victory on 16 October 2004.
    • 72' Mertesacker doing just enough to ensure Benteke can't get a free header at that Arsenal goal. Very nervy moments all of a sudden.
    • 71' Westwood is going to depart to be replaced by El Ahmadi for the visiting side.
    • 70' Arsenal trying to steel themselves after the loss of that goal. Wilshere fires a high ball across goal and out of play. Frustrating end to another home attack.
    • 69' The Villa fans thrilled with that moment. That goal would be enough to carry Villa out of the bottom three spots. If this result remains the same.
    • 68' Hardly unexpected it must be pointed out. The warning signs have been there for some time. Villa have really carried some menace on the break.
    • 67' GOAL! Weimann smashes a low raking shot into the net from 25 yards out and Villa are level at 1-1. Szczesny should have saved that. Poor goalkeeping.
    • 66' Going to be a booking here for Delph after an ill-advised late challenge. Arsenal have the free-kick, but Benteke is well placed to head out the Arteta delivery.
    • 65' Giroud trying to turn and barge his way through space, but several Villa men refuse to budge.
    • 64' Giroud just fails to connect with the Jenkinson cross in the middle. Real pressure here from Arsenal as Villa are pinned back.
    • 63' N'Zogbia unhappy as he is deemed to be guilty of some foul play 25 yards from the Villa goal. Arteta's free-kick comes back off the wall. More gloomy looks from that Arsenal bench.
    • 62' Villa producing some stout defensive work in their own half as a Walcott pass is cleared well by Baker. Final ball really letting Arsenal down at the moment.
    • 61' Change coming here for Arsenal as Diaby is replaced by Ramsey for these last 30 minutes or so.
    • 60' Villa on the break seconds later with Agbonlahor arriving late to head wide from Weimann's cross on the run. That counter attacking threat always there from Villa.
    • 59' Wilshere powers a drive over the bar from the edge of the box. The corner again fails to pay off for Arsenal as Giroud's header loops up and into the arms of Guzan.
    • 58' Arsenal with six shots on goal now compared to two by Villa, who remain alive in this match while the scoreline remains only 1-0.
    • 57' Wilshere with the delivery, but the ball comes off the back of Giroud's head before Guzan dives to save the Cazorla shot.
    • 56' This is the first time in five Premier League matches at the Emirates that Arsenal are leading at half-time. They haven't lost points after a half-time lead at home in the league since losing 3-2 to Tottenham in November 2010. And they have another corner.
    • 55' Giroud just failing to connect with Walcott's corner. Plenty of pace on that delivery, but Villa defending well from the set-piece.
    • 54' Arsenal have lifted the pace of their output in this second half. Would dearly love a second goal to ease the tension among their fans.
    • 53' Giroud's cross is cut out by Lowton, who takes a painful one. Corner to Arsenal, but Cazorla's delivery is cleared before he fails to come up with a telling cross seconds later.
    • 52' Wilshere with another run and cross, but lifts the ball straight into the arms of Guzan. All too predictable.
    • 51' Guzan off his line to make sure Giroud can't cause any damage as he set off on a run through the middle.
    • 50' Golden chance for Giroud from Cazorla's neat pass, but he hurries the shot and blasts over from eight yards out. Should have worked the goalkeeper Guzan there.
    • 49' Giroud flicks a header at goal, but fails to make proper contact with the glancing attempt from Monreal's cross. Doesn't threaten the Villa goal.
    • 48' Agbonlahor dashes down a flank. Cross cut out by Arteta as Villa earn a corner. Clark rises to nod over from Westwood's corner. Free header. Should have scored.
    • 47' Agbonlahor felled by Arteta in the middle of the Villa half, and the visiting side will have a free-kick here.
    • 46' Villa get this second half off and running trailing 1-0.
    • 45+2' There goes the whistle for the break! Arsenal lead 1-0. Not the most memorable of matches, but Wenger will be pleased to see his side lead.
    • 44' We are into two minutes of time added on in this first period.
    • 43' Arsenal within a point of fourth-placed Spurs as things stand. Wilshere late on Bennett.
    • 42' Plenty of space in the home crowd as we head for the break. Beers and/or pies on the menu. Has been better fare than this first period.
    • 41' Arteta then Giroud see shots blocked in quick succession. Some frantic defending by that Villa rearguard.
    • 40' Villa break at real speed from an Arsenal free-kick, but superb defensive work by Jenkinson to race back and win the ball from Weimann.
    • 39' Wilshere sees a shot blocked before Agbonlahor sends the England man tumbing to the deck outside of the area. Some more lively play by Monreal.
    • 38' Guzan forced to halt the shot from Giroud. Acute angle, but lovely one-two with Cazorla. Villa survive that latest hairy moment.
    • 37' Couple of dangerous balls into the Villa box are handled well. Some nice attacking play by Monreal and Jenkinson on either flank. But the visitors hold firm.
    • 36' There has been more goals scored at the Emirates Stadium this season than any other ground. There has been 51 goals scored in Arsenal’s 13 home Premier League matches, an average of 3.9 goals a match.
    • 35' Not difficult to see why Arsenal lost to Blackburn and Bayern Munich over the past seven days. Seem to have a hesitant air about their play even though they lead 1-0 here.
    • 34' Diaby is also into the book for some sloppy play. Loses possession before fouling N'Zogbia. This game going through a real lull.
    • 33' Agbonlahor on the ground requiring a spot of treatment. Villa attempting to get themselves on the move, but Lowton is then booked for a late chop on Vermaelen.
    • 32' Wilshere feeds Monreal, but his shot lacks any sort of authority as it spins tamely wide of the target.
    • 31' Guzan hammers it long as Villa try to play their way out of possession from deep in their own box.
    • 30' Paul Lambert now out of his technical area cutting an animated figure as Jenkinson wins a race with Agbonlahor battling for a loose ball.
    • 29' Wenger looks on by slurping his water bottle as Giroud is caught offside seconds later.
    • 28' Chance for Walcott inside the Villa box, but he sends a swerving shot a couple of yards over the bar.
    • 27' Another Arsenal move is broken up, but Vermaelen shows his class with an inch-perfect tackle on N'Zogbia. Had to get that one spot on.
    • 26' Late tackle by Giroud on Agbonlahor, but the free-kick from distance comes to nothing as Arsenal clear the danger.
    • 25' Mertesacker with a timely tackle on N'Zogbia. Villa certainly asking questions of this Arsenal defence.
    • 24' Wilshere tries his luck at the other end, but can only knock the volley well over from the edge of the box. We remain with Arsenal holding this 1-0 lead.
    • 23' Szczesny dives to claw out a shot by N'Zogbia. Brilliant stop. Arsenal almost cut open by the visiting side. Defending far from the best by the home team.
    • 22' Walcott with a ball into the middle of the Villa box, but all too easy for Villa to deal with the danger. Nobody looking for the Walcott cross.
    • 21' Aston Villa have not won a Premier League match this season when they’ve conceded the opening goal. They’ve drawn two and lost 10. Not looking bright for them so far today.
    • 20' The Emirates Stadium not exactly the most atmospheric of stadiums on such days. Benteke collects the ball in a menacing position 25 yards out, but loses possession rather easily.
    • 19' Villa again look to break quickly, but Benteke finds himself offside in the heart of the home area as he sends a volley well over the bar.
    • 18' Play off and running again. Arsenal have lost just two of their last 28 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa. However, both of Villa’s wins have come at the Emirates Stadium in their last four visits – won 2-0 in Nov 2008 and 2-1 in May 2011.
    • 17' Weimann providing some danger for Villa on the break. Was his ball across the face of goal that almost played in Agbonlahor seconds ago.
    • 16' N'Zogbia on the deck and in need of some treatment here. Looked like an awkward fall.
    • 15' Villa keeping the ball well here. Moving it side from side. Possession so important in such games. Arsenal have a corner, but comes to nothing.
    • 14' Agbonlahor almost on the end of a superb ball across the face of the home box. Just needed the finish. Villa causing Arsenal problems on the break.
    • 13' Great cross by Walcott, but Giroud can't get on the end of that as Villa quickly pick up the loose ball.
    • 12' Villa occuping 18th spot in the table at the moment. Right in the mire. Monreal with a late challenge on Benteke, but Arsenal quickly on the move.
    • 11' Santi Cazorla is the first Arsenal player to reach double figures in his debut Premier League season for Arsenal since Thierry Henry - 17 goals in 1999/2000. Could be more for him today.
    • 10' Szczesny had to look lively there as that effort took a slight deflection. Vital that Villa keep themselves on the front foot. Don't want to shed another goal here otherwise this could be a long old afternoon.
    • 9' Gabriel Agbonlahor smashes a shot at goal from N'Zogbia's pass, but Szczesny beats out the ball. Fine shot and save. Best move so far from Villa.
    • 8' Santi Cazorla scores his 10th Premier League goal of the season. Only Theo Walcott (11) has scored more league goals for Arsenal this season. Arsenal looking to get on the ball and keep it.
    • 7' Wenger off his bench to applaud that moment. Some nice play by Wilshere in the build-up there. Dream start for the home side after such an exacting week.
    • 6' GOAL! Cazorla drives a low shot into the corner of the net after Baker fails to clear the ball from inside his own box and Arsenal have the lead. 1-0.
    • 5' Wilshere goes for goal rather than cross for Walcott after beating the offside trap, but Guzan stands tall to beat out the shot.
    • 4' Only Man United (34) have scored more home Premier League goals than the Gunners’ 33. However, only Swansea (19) have conceded more home Premier League goals than Arsenal’s 18 conceded in the top 15 in the league.
    • 3' The home fans really trying to lift the spirits of their side early on. Villa with plenty of bodies behind the ball. Diaby lifts a cross straight out of play. Poor stuff from him.
    • 2' Baker across to make a sturdy clearance as Jenkinson meandered down a flank. Arsenal the offensive force immediately.
    • 1' The referee today is Martin Atkinson. Arsenal get the ball rolling then for the first period.
    • 14:55 Teams on their way out for this one. Freezing day, but pitch looks in immaculate condition for passing football. Huge pressure on both sides for different reason.
    • 14:50 For his part, Wenger insists he won't be forced out the door even though his club are facing an eighth year without a trophy. "We live in a world of emotion, of excess. We must put things into perspective and stay solid. We must stay united and not be destabilised by people with strong opinions...my love for the game and love of winning is what keeps me going."
    • 14:45 Arsenal legend Ian Wright has hit out at manager Arsene Wenger before this match. "Everything that is happening right now is ultimately down to him," said Wenger. "Yes, he sends the players out to do the business, but you have to say he is to blame. We're all still very much in the dark about the money situation at the club, whether he has money and doesn't want to spend it or he's a company man and he's protecting the board. Whatever it is I think we should have found out a long time ago."
    • 14:40 Christian Benteke starts for Aston Villa, the striker has scored six of his 11 Premier League goals away from home. All six away goals have come in his last five away appearances. He has also scored in his last three away appearances - four goals.
    • 14:35 Paul Lambert does not believe the criticism of Arsene Wenger is justified. He said: "The level of criticism towards Arsene Wenger is a bit over the top. He's been there 16 years and he's just missed out on winning the Champions League against Barcelona. He's won the Premier League several times, he's won the FA Cup several times. If that's 'you don't know what you're doing' then I think there's something not right there, for what he's achieved is phenomenal."
    • 14:30 Aston Villa playmaker Charles N'Zogbia has recovered from the thigh injury suffered during the closing stages against West Ham and starts today. Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi are also available after illness ruled them out of the 2-1 win against Sam Allardyce's side. Agbonlahor starts the match with El Ahmadi on the bench. Winger Marc Albrighton (foot) and defender Richard Dunne (groin) are still ruled out.
    • 14:25 Carl Jenkinson and Abou Diaby replace Bacary Sagna and Lukas Podolski from Arsenal's 3-1 loss in the Champions League to Bayern Munich on Tuesday with Nacho Monreal in for Laurent Koscielny at the back for Arsene Wenger's side. Arsenal bidding to avoid a third straight home loss in the space of a week after last weekend's 1-0 loss to Blackburn in the last 16 of the FA Cup and the Bayern drubbing in the last 16 of the Champions League.
    • 14:20 Teams: Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Arteta, Diaby, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud, Cazorla..subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Gervinho, Podolski////Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Benteke..subs: Marshall, El Ahmadi, Holman, Sylla, Bowery, Dawkins, Lichaj
    • 14:15 Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of Arsenal against Aston Villa from the Emirates Stadium. A 3pm kick-off for this one as the home side attempt to bounce back from recent setbacks against Paul Lambert's relegation-haunted visitors.

  • Summary

    • 84' GOAL! Cazorla slides the loose ball into the net and Arsenal lead 2-1. Fine finish from Monreal's pass. That goal had been coming. Arsenal heading for three points.
    • 79' Arsenal winning corner after corner at the moment, but finding little room in that Villa defence until Giroud is left unmarked. His header from Walcott's corner is tipped over by Guzan.
    • 67' GOAL! Weimann smashes a low raking shot into the net from 25 yards out and Villa are level at 1-1. Szczesny should have saved that. Poor goalkeeping.
    • 64' Giroud just fails to connect with the Jenkinson cross in the middle. Real pressure here from Arsenal as Villa are pinned back.
    • 50' Golden chance for Giroud from Cazorla's neat pass, but he hurries the shot and blasts over from eight yards out. Should have worked the goalkeeper Guzan there.
    • 48' Agbonlahor dashes down a flank. Cross cut out by Arteta as Villa earn a corner. Clark rises to nod over from Westwood's corner. Free header. Should have scored.
    • 38' Guzan forced to halt the shot from Giroud. Acute angle, but lovely one-two with Cazorla. Villa survive that latest hairy moment.
    • 23' Szczesny dives to claw out a shot by N'Zogbia. Brilliant stop. Arsenal almost cut open by the visiting side. Defending far from the best by the home team.
    • 14' Agbonlahor almost on the end of a superb ball across the face of the home box. Just needed the finish. Villa causing Arsenal problems on the break.
    • 9' Gabriel Agbonlahor smashes a shot at goal from N'Zogbia's pass, but Szczesny beats out the ball. Fine shot and save. Best move so far from Villa.
    • 6' GOAL! Cazorla drives a low shot into the corner of the net after Baker fails to clear the ball from inside his own box and Arsenal have the lead. 1-0.
    • 5' Wilshere goes for goal rather than cross for Walcott after beating the offside trap, but Guzan stands tall to beat out the shot.
    • 14:20 Teams: Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Monreal, Arteta, Diaby, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud, Cazorla..subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Gervinho, Podolski////Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Benteke..subs: Marshall, El Ahmadi, Holman, Sylla, Bowery, Dawkins, Lichaj

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.7 5
      Defenders
      Substitution Out76′ 6.3 6
      6.1 6
      6.4 6
      7.3 7
      Midfielders
      6.6 6
      Yellow Card Substitution Out61′ 5.7 6
      8.5 8
      Strikers
      Substitution Out90′ 7.3 6
      Goals ×2 8.3 8
      6.4 7
      Subs
      Substitution In76′ 6.7 6
      Substitution In90′ 4.8 6
      Substitution In61′ 4.8 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.9 7
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 5.4 7
      4.2 7
      3.9 7
      4 7
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 4.2 6
      Substitution Out73′ 4.2 6
      Substitution Out82′ 5.1 6
      Strikers
      Goal 6.1 7
      5.2 7
      6.4 6
      Subs
      Substitution In73′ 4.4 6
      Substitution In82′ 4.4 6

Comment 89 - 109 of 109

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  1. arsenal the might gunners heart tone in pieces crying­ ars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for life. the gunners the­ most prestigious team in England. spurs we are up for­ run­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

    From KASULE, on Sun 24 Feb 8:06

  2. the arsenal defence is terrible EVERYONE THINKD THAT­ BUT IT IS'NT TRUE i mean they got Vermaelen AND­ how mutch they hold the 0

    From , on Sun 24 Feb 6:48

  3. honestly l will fault our goal keeper he is the worse­ gunners keeper l have ever see.every loose ball pass­ him.pls wenger we need a better person in the pole

    From isaac, on Sun 24 Feb 4:15

  4. wenger now can breath aft that win

    From David Omondi, on Sat 23 Feb 21:00

  5. the arsenal defence is terrible

    From , on Sat 23 Feb 19:54

  6. I last commented that I was gutted wnen we were beaten­ by Blackburn Rovers and Bayerne Munich . That doesn.t­ mean I.ve given up on Europe/ When we beat Spurs next­ week we.ll be back on course for 4th place in the­ league. wich is all we can hope for this year. (Except­ winning the champions league) Ha Ha COME ON YOU­ GUNNERS

    From ALBERT, on Sat 23 Feb 19:44

  7. the formula is simple...arsenal fans have been looking­ for the purchase of at least 1 quality players since­ years but they have only been getting promise..so­ wenger if you cannot buy world class player and knows­ only how to sell good players.better leave the club­ where it is now...we will look for someone who knows­ more on buying players than keeping money in bank

    From ravin, on Sat 23 Feb 17:20

  8. Even when the team win you so called arsenal fans still­ slag of the team and manager Get behind your team no­ matter what as thats what a true football supporter­ would do, We do need some more experience in the team­ but we do have talent there already. If you dont like­ the team support someone else they need you behind them­ not against them. Wenger has already proved himself its­ now up to the players to step up for him, Well done­ today Arsenal I for one are proud to be one of your­ LOYAL fans.

    From Barbie L, on Sat 23 Feb 17:07

  9. Well that's a relief,more nerve racking than being­ there.Once again two things come to light we need a­ good goalkeeper such as Villa have or much better­ still.And Gunners still do not have the firepower up­ front.26 shots with only 7 on target tells it's­ own story we need a "World Class Striker­ ".Santi is brilliant and clearly won the game for­ us,but as much as I like Theo.,he is not World Class,he­ is an old fashioned inside-right with lots of pace and­ will score lots of goals,but lacks the stature that we­ need to dominate the air at corners.Great result­ though,and we hope that bunch of rubbish from East­ London can conjure up a win on Monday against Bale,oh­ sorry I mean TH.

    From MARK, on Sat 23 Feb 17:01
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Can anyone see Villa getting more than 4 points out of­ their next 8 games?????

    From BLUEBULLY, on Sat 23 Feb 17:01

  11. I predicted 1-2 for Villa. Thank god I was wrong.

    From M Lutfi A, on Sat 23 Feb 16:56
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    RELIEF FOR THE FANS. POOR ARENAL

    From awodele, on Sat 23 Feb 16:53

  13. funny when arsenal score it shows up straight away when­ Villa sgore ther second I bet it don't gome up?

    From mick the plumber, on Sat 23 Feb 16:52

  14. Naïve defending by a naïve team and manager, 1-1­ against Arsenal with 5 minutes to go you defend, keep­ ball and knock to corner flag. Complete waste, back in­ bottom 3 and Man C to come, 2 more goal conceded.

    From DSM, on Sat 23 Feb 16:51
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I have said it before, this arsenal team are a heart­ ache. They lack ambition . The manager too is­ completely clueless on howto win matches in the current­ dispensation. Even if cr7 and messi are brought in, it­ will not change matters. Pity. Poor fans

    From awodele, on Sat 23 Feb 16:49

  16. wenger best manager prem has seen.so apart from­ fergie,all you so called arsenal supporters,just stop­ slagging off your team and support what really is a­ good side.i will say though we need to sign some­ EXPERIENCED players.

    From SIMON, on Sat 23 Feb 16:48

  17. without carzola,where would we be.something needs to­ change if we are struggling to beat a club that not so­ long ago conceded 15 goals in 3 matches without scoring­ themselves.Szczesny has to leave and take the other­ carcasses with him.

    From Breda, on Sat 23 Feb 16:48

  18. come on yahoo, change the score line. please

    From believe, on Sat 23 Feb 16:47

  19. Graham 90 he won't do that he's a gooner!

    From mick the plumber, on Sat 23 Feb 16:45

  20. This is about 8 minutes behind the play, sort it out­ Eurosport/Yahoo !!!!

    From A, on Sat 23 Feb 16:45
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