Arsenal Fc

2.96

• 
  16

  51

  2.50

  Wojciech Szczesny

  Made a handful of good stops in the first half, but undone his good work when he let Weimann's long-range shot squirm past his hands. Solid otherwise.

• 
  33

  23

  3.00

  Per Mertesacker

  Relished the physical tussle with Benteke and did not wilt in the face of the towering Belgian's strength and power. Commanding in the air, but more worried by the pace of Villa's counterattacks.

• 
  48

  8

  3.00

  Thomas Vermaelen

  Controlled and composed at the back, carrying the ball out of defence with authority. Marshalled dangerman Benteke well, with the Belgian forward posing less of a threat than he usually does.

• 
  78

  5

  3.50

  Monreal

  Got forward with exuberance, and generally produced dangerous crosses when he ventured into the final third. Produced a brilliant pull-back for Cazorla's winner. Villa did have some joy breaking into the space he left, however.

• 
  53

  12

  3.00

  Carl Jenkinson

  Matched the pace of Agbonlahor, never allowing the speedy Villa attacker to get past him. Got forward where possible, though his end product was often lacking and he didn't always link well with the rest of the side. Replaced with 15 minutes remaining by Podolski.

• 
  36

  28

  3.00

  A. Diaby

  Broke up play, won possession and drove forward. Bought steel and bite to the Arsenal midfield, though garnered groans and jeers from the home support whenever he played a backwards pass, which was often. Replaced with half an hour remaining.

• 
  31

  27

  2.50

  Mikel Arteta

  His passing, while as accurate as ever, was predominantly conservative. Never took risks with the ball, opting for ball retention over penetration.

• 
  79

  9

  3.50

  Jack Wilshere

  As is becoming the norm, Wilshere ran the show for Arsenal once again. He flittered into space, found gaps and broke past the Villa defence. His creativity and intelligence came to the fore when he dinked a pass behind the Villa back-line for Monreal, from which Arsenal scored their winner.

• 
  84

  10

  4.00

  Santi Cazorla Top of the Match

  Took both his goals well; collecting his own blocked cross and then firing a shot past Guzan for the first, before calmly slotting the ball past the American for his second. A creative, adventurous presence throughout the match.

• 
  18

  64

  2.00

  Olivier Giroud Flop of the Match

  A frustrating performance from the Frenchman, who regularly found himself in threatening positions but wasted the chances that fell his way, including one horroific slice wide of the near post. If Arsenal are to finish in the top four, he must find his shooting boots. Fast.

• 
  17

  45

  2.50

  Theo Walcott

  A largely ineffective performance from Walcott, who struggled to get past Bennett and found himself deprived of the space he thrives in. Replaced in stoppage time by Koscielny.

Substitutions

• 
  33

  10

  Laurent Koscielny

  Came on in stoppage time Walcott.

• 
  46

  13

  3.00

  Aaron Ramsey

  Came on in place of Diaby with half an hour remaining. Brought more forward impetus and intent than the Frenchman, and played a hand in the winner.

• 
  47

  11

  3.00

  Lukas Podolski

  Replaced Jenkinson as Arsenal pushed forward late on, and had a glorious chance to grab a winner but couldn't connect with Walcott's cross. Brought some drive to Arsenal's attack.

Aston Villa

2.79

• 
  9

  7

  3.00

  Bradley Guzan

  Solid and proactive, the American shot-stopper made few errors and exuded calmness behind an inexperienced defence. Might feel he could have done better with Cazorla's opener, but produced a stunning reflex save to deny Giroud.

• 
  5

  5

  3.00

  Ciaran Clark

  In the absence of Vlaar, Clark led the back-line admirably, organising a young defence. He tussled with Giroud, blocked shots and attacked every cross, though it was his weak block that allowed Cazorla to thump the home side into the lead.

• 
  5

  5

  3.50

  Nathan Baker

  Made a number of important headed clearances, especially when competing with Giroud in the air. Like Clark, he threw his body in the way of shots and formed a solid wall that Arsenal struggled to break down.

• 
  5

  5

  2.50

  Matthew Lowton

  Wasn't comfortable with the infield movement of Cazorla and left too much space for Monreal to overlap into. Picked up a yellow card for an overzealous challenge after venturing high up the pitch.

• 
  5

  5

  3.00

  Joseph Bennett

  Lost Walcott on a couple of occasions, but generally recovered well and prevented the Arsenal forward from having any great impact on the match. Moved inside to aid his centre-halves well.

• 
  4

  6

  2.50

  Charles N'Zogbia

  Led Villa's many counterattacks, driving towards goal with tremendous pace and intent, but was often let down by poor end product. Worked tirelessly to close down Arsenal and was replaced by Dawkins with 10 minutes remaining.

• 
  2

  7

  2.50

  Ashley Westwood

  Worked hard in middle third, harassing and harrying, but was often forced to chase shadows against Arsenal’s interchanging and mobile midfield. Didn't keep the ball well. Replaced by El Ahmadi late on.

• 
  2

  9

  3.00

  Fabian Delph

  Energetic and tenacious in the middle of the pitch, but, like midfield partner Westwood, always second best to the craft and artistry of Arsenal’s midfield talents. Congested and clogged the midfield, making life difficult for the home side.

• 
  7

  7

  2.50

  C. Benteke

  Not the nuissance he usually is. Often isolated, the big Belgian found little joy when double-teamed by the physical duo of Mertesacker and Vermaelen. Received little service or supply.

• 
  11

  6

  3.00

  Andreas Weimann

  Counterattacked well, like the rest of the Villa front-line, and worked very hard to close down space. Took his goal brilliantly, leading another break before firing a shot past Szczesny from long-range.

• 
  6

  8

  2.50

  Gabriel Agbonlahor

  A pacey outlet for Villa on the break, though was frustrated by the recovery and speed of Jenkinson. Worked hard defensively.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  5

  2.50

  Karim El Ahmadi

  Replaced Westwood and was a busy, combative presence, though offered little going forward.

• 
  2

  5

  Simon Dawkins

  Came on for N'Zogbia with ten minute remaining.