Arsenal against Aston Villa

The free-kick is lobbed into the box and, while Dunne wants a corner, it's straight out for a goal kick.

Phil Dowd has told Song that he cannot commit any more fouls after he gives away another free-kick.

An Arsenal attack breaks down but Arshavin delights the fans with a nutmeg as he retreats from goal.

The corner is dealt with and the ball eventually comes to Almunia.

Agbonlahor goes one-on-one with Almunia but Gallas gets back to block before Almunia brilliantly pushes behind as the Villa striker threatens to tuck it in.

Young tries to put a ball into the centre from inside the box, but it's straight out for a goal kick.

Fabregas is taken off again having scored twice, with Ramsey taking his place.

Young curls in a dangerous cross, but it's headed away. Milner then finds Carew, but the cross is just too high for him to control.

Fabregas may have damaged his hamstring in scoring the goal.

Fabregas fires home from close range after an inch-perect pass from Walcott. Traore had fired in an excellent pass from defence after Milner gave away possession.

GOAL FOR ARSENAL!

Song trips Delph but Delph takes the free-kick instantly. It eventually comes to Young on the left, but the cross is cleared. Villa are turning up the pressure.

Villa win a free-kick out on the right, but Almunia punches it clear.

Arshavin nearly creates something but is ultimately outnumbered.

Almunia clears the corner and supplues Arshavin.

Young puts in a cross from the left and, while there is confusion in the box, it's out for a corner.

Walcott fires the ball across the face of goal but it's overhit and fails to find Song.

Villa escape another scare as Dunne deals with a dangerous cross.

Arsenal's deep free-kick is headed away from trouble.

Luke Young is replaced by Delph as Martin O'Neill looks to adopt a more attacking approach.

Cuellar picks up a booking as he tugs back Fabregas.

Fabregas puts a free-kick into the box but it's headed away easily.

Walcott threatens to use his pace to expose Warnock, but Villa come out on top.

Both sides are getting into good attacking positions but nothing is quite coming off.

Sagna does well to deal with the danger as Agbonlahor threatens to cause problems.

Song fires over the bar from the edge of the D after good work from Walcott created a chance in the area for Arsenal.

It goes into the box but Gallas strays offside.

Another Fabregas free-kick is lined up, this one deep on the left.

Arshavin apprears to win a corner but the ball is not deemed to have gone out of play.

Agbonlahor looks to break away down the right but he's given offside.

Song picks up a free-kick for diving as he goes down under minimal contact in the middle of the pitch.

Fabregas fires the free-kick straight into the net! Superb free-kick leaving Friedel with no hope of making the save.

GOAL FOR ARSENAL!

Fabregas lines up the free-kick.

Dunne brings down Fabregas 25 yards from goal.

The free-kick comes to nothing and Arsenal make another change, with Walcott on for Eduardo.

Heskey is substituted for Carew.

The referee gives a foul against Fabregas as he tackles Agbonlahor by the halfway line.

Villa clear the danger.

Arshavin forces a great low save from Friedel and Arsenal just can't tuck in the rebound! Corner kick.

Arsenal have another effort blocked on the line as Fabregas supplied Eduardo!

Agbonlahor plays a ball into the box, but Traore deals with it well.

Fabregas takes the free-kick and it's not far away from the top corner, although Friedel had it covered.

Eduardo is fouled by Petrov just inside the Villa half and gets a final warning from Phil Dowd.

Fabregas comes on in place of Denilson.

Eduardo headed it towards goal and Gallas knocked it on, but Friedel saved and it was hooked clear.

It's cleared off the line from the corner!

Friedel makes a save from Eduardo from a free-kick and Heskey is forced to put the ball behind as it comes back into the box.

Young will now miss the next game, at home to Liverpool.

Ashley Young goes down under a challenge from Song, but the referee books the Villa winger for diving.

Ashley Young whips it in and Almunia surprisingly opts to punch, although he gets it clear.

Warnock bursts down the left and wins a corner from Nasri.

Vermaelen and Agbonlahor get involved in a battle for the ball as the Arsenal defender tracks back. Both refuse to give it up until the referee awards a free-kick to Vermaelen.

The ball is currently bogged down in midfield as the teams struggle to find the right passes.

Arshavin breaks for Arsenal but the move breaks down.

Villa pump a free-kick long upfield and Milner crosses in, but it's headed clear with no difficulty.

Fabregas is warming up on the sidelines.

Arsenal break into a dangerous position after some neat passing play, but again the cross from the right is headed clear.

Nasri puts a ball into the box but it's easily dealt with.

Arsenal kick off the second half. Both sides will have reason for encouragement from the first half but need to improve in front of goal.

The players are now coming back out onto the field.

It's half-time and still 0-0 at the Emirates. Arsenal have had the better of it but Villa have caused serious problems at times.

Eduardo curls it in but Friedel claims relatively easily.

Ashley Young concedes a free-kick. Arsenal will try to whip it into the box if they have time.

Denilson fires a speculative shot straight at Friedel.

This time it's headed clear. One minute of added time.

Eduardo sends it in and Villa put it out for another corner.

Warnock slips as he looks to clear the ball in the area but escapes unpunished. Arsenal corner.

Villa scramble the free-kick away despite Arshavin and later Diaby trying to force it back onto the area.

Arsenal win a free-kick midway into the Villa half and Gallas joins the attack.

Nasri sends it in but Dunne heads clear.

Arshavin causes problems down the left and wins a corner.

Arshavin looks to raid Warnock but ends up putting the ball out for a goal kick.

Agbonlahor momentarily appears to have been given onside as he's played clean through by a long ball, but the flag eventually goes up and he was some distance beyond the last defender.

Sagna sends a cross straight behind for a goal kick.

Arshavin looks to roll his way around his marker and latch onto a through-ball, but he just can't make it.

Denilson brings down Petrov inside the Villa half. Arsenal have looked far better in the last few minutes after Villa enjoyed a series of chances.

Vermaelen looks to find Arshavin with a long ball, but Warnock nods it back to Friedel.

Denilson blasts the free-kick directly into the wall and Sagna fires the rebound over the bar. A chance lost for Arsenal.

Denilson wins a free-kick inside the D of the penalty area after a series of challenges force him to the ground.

Song heads over from the corner.

Nasri fires a deflected shot just over after a touch back from Denilson.

Neither side is able to find a way through at the moment.

A deep free-kick into the area is headed down towards Almunia for an easy save.

Song is belatedly penalised for another poor tackle as Phil Dowd tries to allow the advantage. He could soon be in the book.

Diaby looks to spark an Arsenal attack but the cross from the left is headed away.

Vermaelen heads away a cross from the right and Arsenal counter.

Eduardo's corner is cleared at the near post.

Warnock makes a good tackle to stop an Arsenal attack as they break into the area.

Diaby heads over from Nasri's free-kick. He failed to control the header.

Warnock brings down Nasri as Arsenal win a free-kick out on the right.

Dunne puts the ball in the net, but he'd already been penalised for barging Almunia as he tried to claim a Milner cross.

Song is given a talking to but no yellow card after a trip breaks up another Villa attack.

Downing nudges the ball just wide as Vermaelen heads a cross into Traore's path and he's unable to react quickly enough.

The ball breaks kindly for Eduardo just inside the area, but his control is a little lacking and he loses the ball.

Denilson trips Petrov deep into the Villa half as an Arsenal attack breaks down.

Sagna attempts a high, deep cross after Villa give away possession, but there's no one there.

Luke Young deals with a ball over the top as Arshavin looks to take advantage.

Cuellar sidefoots a shot well wide from the edge of the area.

The corner causes confusion in the Arsenal box but it's cleared for a throw-in.

Ashley Young sees a shot loop just over the bar after a deflection! Villa are looking dangerous in attack.

Arshavin hits a shot on the turn with his left from the edge of the area and, predictably given the circumstances, it's an easy save for Friedel.

Heskey sees a shot deflected wide after he saw the ball returned to him after a knock-down to Agbonlahor. Arsenal goal kick.

Aston Villa hold the ball in an attacking position as they again look to progress down the left.

This one goes short to Nasri, and Denilson fires a decent effort just over the bar from outside the area.

Eduardo puts it towards the near post, where Heskey heads it behind for another corner.

Arsenal win a corner through Eduardo.

Eduardo misses a glorious chance! Diaby does well to get into the box and finds Eduardo, who turns well but then passes the ball to Friedel with a free shot inside the area!

Nasri swings in the free-kick and it's nearly turned in at the far post, with Warnock scrambling it away!

Arsenal win a free-kick in a promising position.

Downing puts in a cross from out on the left, but it's gathered by Almunia.

Aston Villa get the game underway!

The players are now coming out onto the pitch.

Phil Dowd is the referee at the Emirates Stadium today.

Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Cuellar, Warnock, Ashley Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, Agbonlahor, Heskey. Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delph, Reo-Coker, Beye, Collins.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Song, Denilson, Nasri, Diaby, Eduardo, Arshavin. Subs: Fabianski, Fabregas, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue.

Heskey was an injury doubt for Villa, but he starts up front with Agbonlahor. Milner continues in the centre with Ashley Young and Downing on the flanks.

Arsenal are without Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner still, while Cesc Fabregas is fit enough only for the bench. Eduardo starts alongside Arshavin.

Both managers will view this as a gauge of their respective ambitions - title and top four - and both will want to avoid defeat at all costs.

Hello and welcome to the live commentary for the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Live updates will appear here from 1315 GMT.

Young puts in a cross from the left and, while there is confusion in the box, it's out for a corner.

Walcott fires the ball across the face of goal but it's overhit and fails to find Song.

Villa escape another scare as Dunne deals with a dangerous cross.

Arsenal's deep free-kick is headed away from trouble.

Luke Young is replaced by Delph as Martin O'Neill looks to adopt a more attacking approach.

Cuellar picks up a booking as he tugs back Fabregas.

Fabregas puts a free-kick into the box but it's headed away easily.

Walcott threatens to use his pace to expose Warnock, but Villa come out on top.

Both sides are getting into good attacking positions but nothing is quite coming off.

Sagna does well to deal with the danger as Agbonlahor threatens to cause problems.

Song fires over the bar from the edge of the D after good work from Walcott created a chance in the area for Arsenal.

It goes into the box but Gallas strays offside.

Another Fabregas free-kick is lined up, this one deep on the left.

Arshavin apprears to win a corner but the ball is not deemed to have gone out of play.

Agbonlahor looks to break away down the right but he's given offside.

Song picks up a free-kick for diving as he goes down under minimal contact in the middle of the pitch.

Fabregas fires the free-kick straight into the net! Superb free-kick leaving Friedel with no hope of making the save.

GOAL FOR ARSENAL!

Fabregas lines up the free-kick.

Dunne brings down Fabregas 25 yards from goal.

The free-kick comes to nothing and Arsenal make another change, with Walcott on for Eduardo.

Heskey is substituted for Carew.

The referee gives a foul against Fabregas as he tackles Agbonlahor by the halfway line.

Villa clear the danger.

Arshavin forces a great low save from Friedel and Arsenal just can't tuck in the rebound! Corner kick.

Arsenal have another effort blocked on the line as Fabregas supplied Eduardo!

Agbonlahor plays a ball into the box, but Traore deals with it well.

Fabregas takes the free-kick and it's not far away from the top corner, although Friedel had it covered.

Eduardo is fouled by Petrov just inside the Villa half and gets a final warning from Phil Dowd.

Fabregas comes on in place of Denilson.

Eduardo headed it towards goal and Gallas knocked it on, but Friedel saved and it was hooked clear.

It's cleared off the line from the corner!

Friedel makes a save from Eduardo from a free-kick and Heskey is forced to put the ball behind as it comes back into the box.

Young will now miss the next game, at home to Liverpool.

Ashley Young goes down under a challenge from Song, but the referee books the Villa winger for diving.

Ashley Young whips it in and Almunia surprisingly opts to punch, although he gets it clear.

Warnock bursts down the left and wins a corner from Nasri.

Vermaelen and Agbonlahor get involved in a battle for the ball as the Arsenal defender tracks back. Both refuse to give it up until the referee awards a free-kick to Vermaelen.

The ball is currently bogged down in midfield as the teams struggle to find the right passes.

Arshavin breaks for Arsenal but the move breaks down.

Villa pump a free-kick long upfield and Milner crosses in, but it's headed clear with no difficulty.

Fabregas is warming up on the sidelines.

Arsenal break into a dangerous position after some neat passing play, but again the cross from the right is headed clear.

Nasri puts a ball into the box but it's easily dealt with.

Arsenal kick off the second half. Both sides will have reason for encouragement from the first half but need to improve in front of goal.

The players are now coming back out onto the field.

It's half-time and still 0-0 at the Emirates. Arsenal have had the better of it but Villa have caused serious problems at times.

Eduardo curls it in but Friedel claims relatively easily.

Ashley Young concedes a free-kick. Arsenal will try to whip it into the box if they have time.

Denilson fires a speculative shot straight at Friedel.

This time it's headed clear. One minute of added time.

Eduardo sends it in and Villa put it out for another corner.

Warnock slips as he looks to clear the ball in the area but escapes unpunished. Arsenal corner.

Villa scramble the free-kick away despite Arshavin and later Diaby trying to force it back onto the area.

Arsenal win a free-kick midway into the Villa half and Gallas joins the attack.

Nasri sends it in but Dunne heads clear.

Arshavin causes problems down the left and wins a corner.

Arshavin looks to raid Warnock but ends up putting the ball out for a goal kick.

Agbonlahor momentarily appears to have been given onside as he's played clean through by a long ball, but the flag eventually goes up and he was some distance beyond the last defender.

Sagna sends a cross straight behind for a goal kick.

Arshavin looks to roll his way around his marker and latch onto a through-ball, but he just can't make it.

Denilson brings down Petrov inside the Villa half. Arsenal have looked far better in the last few minutes after Villa enjoyed a series of chances.

Vermaelen looks to find Arshavin with a long ball, but Warnock nods it back to Friedel.

Denilson blasts the free-kick directly into the wall and Sagna fires the rebound over the bar. A chance lost for Arsenal.

Denilson wins a free-kick inside the D of the penalty area after a series of challenges force him to the ground.

Song heads over from the corner.

Nasri fires a deflected shot just over after a touch back from Denilson.

Neither side is able to find a way through at the moment.

A deep free-kick into the area is headed down towards Almunia for an easy save.

Song is belatedly penalised for another poor tackle as Phil Dowd tries to allow the advantage. He could soon be in the book.

Diaby looks to spark an Arsenal attack but the cross from the left is headed away.

Vermaelen heads away a cross from the right and Arsenal counter.

Eduardo's corner is cleared at the near post.

Warnock makes a good tackle to stop an Arsenal attack as they break into the area.

Diaby heads over from Nasri's free-kick. He failed to control the header.

Warnock brings down Nasri as Arsenal win a free-kick out on the right.

Dunne puts the ball in the net, but he'd already been penalised for barging Almunia as he tried to claim a Milner cross.

Song is given a talking to but no yellow card after a trip breaks up another Villa attack.

Downing nudges the ball just wide as Vermaelen heads a cross into Traore's path and he's unable to react quickly enough.

The ball breaks kindly for Eduardo just inside the area, but his control is a little lacking and he loses the ball.

Denilson trips Petrov deep into the Villa half as an Arsenal attack breaks down.

Sagna attempts a high, deep cross after Villa give away possession, but there's no one there.

Luke Young deals with a ball over the top as Arshavin looks to take advantage.

Cuellar sidefoots a shot well wide from the edge of the area.

The corner causes confusion in the Arsenal box but it's cleared for a throw-in.

Ashley Young sees a shot loop just over the bar after a deflection! Villa are looking dangerous in attack.

Arshavin hits a shot on the turn with his left from the edge of the area and, predictably given the circumstances, it's an easy save for Friedel.

Heskey sees a shot deflected wide after he saw the ball returned to him after a knock-down to Agbonlahor. Arsenal goal kick.

Aston Villa hold the ball in an attacking position as they again look to progress down the left.

This one goes short to Nasri, and Denilson fires a decent effort just over the bar from outside the area.

Eduardo puts it towards the near post, where Heskey heads it behind for another corner.

Arsenal win a corner through Eduardo.

Eduardo misses a glorious chance! Diaby does well to get into the box and finds Eduardo, who turns well but then passes the ball to Friedel with a free shot inside the area!

Nasri swings in the free-kick and it's nearly turned in at the far post, with Warnock scrambling it away!

Arsenal win a free-kick in a promising position.

Downing puts in a cross from out on the left, but it's gathered by Almunia.

Aston Villa get the game underway!

The players are now coming out onto the pitch.

Phil Dowd is the referee at the Emirates Stadium today.

Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Cuellar, Warnock, Ashley Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, Agbonlahor, Heskey. Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delph, Reo-Coker, Beye, Collins.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore, Song, Denilson, Nasri, Diaby, Eduardo, Arshavin. Subs: Fabianski, Fabregas, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue.

Heskey was an injury doubt for Villa, but he starts up front with Agbonlahor. Milner continues in the centre with Ashley Young and Downing on the flanks.

Arsenal are without Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner still, while Cesc Fabregas is fit enough only for the bench. Eduardo starts alongside Arshavin.

Both managers will view this as a gauge of their respective ambitions - title and top four - and both will want to avoid defeat at all costs.

Hello and welcome to the live commentary for the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Live updates will appear here from 1315 GMT.