Late Benayoun goal rescues Arsenal

Substitute Yossi Benayoun came off the bench to rescue Arsenal as three minutes from the end the Isreali struck to give the Gunners a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday night. It was far from comfortable as Villa played better than in recent games. However Robin Van Persie's goal early on from the penalty spot set the tone for an exciting match, but it was then cancelled out by Marc Albrighton's equaliser. Arsenal had the majority of the chances on a night they perhaps did not deserve all three points as the on loan Chelsea midfielder, Benayoun, scored his most important Arsenal goal to date. The game ended on a sour note as Aston Villa's Alan Hutton was shown a second yellow card and was sent off. Arsenal were forced into making two changes as Emmanuel Frimpong came in for the suspended Alex Song whilst Coquelin came in at right back for the injured Djourou.

Yossi Benayoun came off the bench to win the game for Arsenal

The first chance of the game went Villa's way as N'Zogbia swung in a ball from the right onto the head of Agbonlahor but Szczesny was in the way to beat the ball away.

Arsenal's first chance was a goal. It came from the penalty spot after Walcott managed to turn smartly past Clark and then was pulled back and the referee gave a penalty. Van Persie stepped up to smash his penalty high into the roof of the net to equal Thierry Henry's record of goals in a calendar year of 34.

The visitors next chance fell to Walcott as Van Persie played the ball through to him but Guzan came racing out of his goal to deny the wingers attempted chip.

Arsenal then wasted another chance as again Van Persie cut open the Villa defence with a ball through to Ramsey but with Warnock closing him down he flashed his shot wide of the goal.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

The first real opportunity of the second half saw Aston Villa equalise. A long ball was put down forward by Guzan in the Villa goal which was flicked on only as far as Vermaelen who's weak header towards Mertesacker was cut out by Albrighton who raced clear of the defence and comfortably slotted the ball past Szczesny and into the back of the net. That goal was to be the 20,000th goal in Premier League history.

The Gunners almost struck back immediately as Van Persie's corner broke to Mertesacker who managed to get a shot away but Guzan managed to save well from the German's attempt.

Arsenal then had a strong claim for a penalty turned down as Van Persie got into the box and then collided with Warnock before the referee turned down the claims and booked the Gunners captain for supposedly diving.

Arsenal were desperately looking for a goal which would put them ahead as Van Persie picked the ball up outside the box and then struck a shot which went miles over the bar. 

Andrey Arshavin then managed to work a shooting opportunity as he troubled Albrighton before firing a shot which took a deflection and went out for an Arsenal corner. The resulting corner was to result in a goal. Van Persie swung in the ball towards the back post and onto the head of Benayoun who headed home from 6 yards out to give Arsenal all three points.

Mikel Arteta then drove an optimistic attempt from far out but it was comfortably kept out by Guzan.

Aston Villa were then sent down to ten men as Alan Hutton got himself sent off for a second bookable offence after a late challenge on Thomas Vermaelen.

The final score finished Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal. 

The teams lineups: 

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Albrighton(88), Petrov, Ireland(45), Clark, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor. 
Subs: Marshall, Collins, Williams, Delph, Bannan(45), Weimann, Delfouneso(88).

Arsenal: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Frimpong(66), Ramsey(81), Walcott, Gervinho(81), Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Squillaci, Rosicky(66), Benayoun(81), Arshavin(81), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh.

My man of the match: Yossi Benayoun

Referee: Jonathan Moss
Attendance: 35,818