Arsenal inflict more misery on Aston Villa to go top of Premier League
Arsenal completed a successful week on Sunday with a win at Aston Villa. Four days ago Arsene Wenger's men turned on the style to rout Olympiakos 3-0 and advance to the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League.
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Arsenal rose to top of the English Premier League on Sunday with a solid 2-0 victory at bottom of the table Aston Villa. France international Olivier Giroud scored the opener from the penalty spot seven minutes into the game after Theo Walcott was felled by Alan Hutton. It was Giroud's fourth goal in two games following his hat trick midweek in the Uefa Champions League at Olympiakos.
Wales international Aaron Ramsey added Arsenal's second just before half-time after being set up by the Germany star Mesut Ozil.
It was his 13th assist of the season. With pacesetters Leicester City hosting Chelsea on Monday night, Arsenal will lead the table for at least 24 hours.
Following their midweek heroics in Greece, Arsenal went into the game at Villa Park in confident mode. It was a stark contrast to the mood around Villa who had only won one of their 15 games before the visit of the north Londoners.
Remi Garde pocketed a Premier League winner's medal as a player with Arsenal in 1998 and enjoyed a successful stint with Lyon in Ligue 1 but his Villa players are in a huge battle battle to emerge from the relegation zone.
The 49-year-old Frenchman is still seeking his first victory since taking over from Tim Sherwood in November. They are eight points from 17th place which will guarantee Premier League survival.
Two weeks ago, the Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren was similarly beleaguered. Last weekend his side beat Liverpool and on Sunday afternoon, they came from behind to see off Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. Substitute Ayoze Perez scored three minutes into second half stoppage time after Aleksandar Mitrovic had cancelled out Eric Dier’s goal for the hosts.
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