Arsenal v. Aston Villa 3-0 27/Dec/09

The skipper completed in a thirty minute performance a brace.
[Photo: Jonathan Brady/EPA via Guardian]

In a twenty-seventh minute "cameo" Cesc Fábregas reassured his commitment to Arsenal's cause and put Aston Villa in trouble just as his brace made the difference. Despite the injury some thought that it was 'worth the risk. Within this brief span of thirty minutes, the Spaniard secured what for the Gunners meant a step closer towards the Chelsea in the hot pursue for May's silverware.

Whilst the battle between direct fourth-place rivals meant a lot more than just gossip from the media, the match resulted to be quite an attraction. After this troubled encounter the Londoners face a tricky four week schedule with a travel to struggling Pompey, a home fixture against Everton, an FA Cup tie against Hammers and a double feature at Bolton.



The exact moment of beauty.
[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


For most of the first half, the fight between the two teams was fierce. The opposition really did not give the Gunners much chance to score: meanwhile the efforts were neutralised by what seemed a really solid defence. Even when Arsenal created chances - mainly one by Eduardo and a volley by Nasri - the deadlock imposed by O'Neill's men was tough. For large periods of the first part, the Londoners appeared to have the upper-hand whilst many of the attempts came from the vigorous right-hand side. Strangely, not even a single cross was made by Traore. The physical contest was won by the home team, that by the break had made nothing more of a push towards their opposition.



Limping after his second.
[Photo: Guardian]

If the previous half provided the Gunners with plenty of possession, their hopes were revitalised when a rampant, brilliant and lucid Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to put his team back on track. Before this entrance, the home side made enough attempts to put Friedel on target several times. With the inclusion of the Spanish international, in the 64th minute, the home team rose above level. Cesc, marshaling all the players, reordered the midfield and in one of those occasions was kicked in the edge of the box by Dunne.
Immediately afterwards came the second consecutive free kick goal in the last two matches. If Denilson and Nasri were to take the ball, immediately Cesc grabbed it, and with a dexterity of a master, put he ball in the farther side of Friedel's goal; a wonderful cherry on top of the icing, the Spaniard was proverbial.
After the goal (and until the end of the game) the Gunners strolled past the Villains, creating at least three more chances. In one of them, Cesc was fed by Theo on the wing and scored. Unfortunately, although he completed his brace, the captain was limping and eventually got substituted. Afterwards, even with morale high the defence look focused enough to not give away two goals as in previous matches. In one rampaging counter-attack, Diaby finished with a trade-mark goal after passing through a couple of bodies before ending the game.