Arsenal vs Aston Villa: Match Review and Reactions

   Arsenal made it 5 wins in 5 with an emphatic performance against Aston Villa beating them 5-0 at the Emirates. Goals came from equal number of different outlets with Giroud, Özil, Walcott, Cazorla and Bellerin getting on scoresheet. The Trio of Ospina, Mertesacker & Koscielny also registered their 4th consecutive clean sheet in 4 starts together. Elsewhere, Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton also dropped points this weekend. Now with this set of results, we are 5th in the table and equal on points with the Saints only down on GD by 1 goal but if Akpom would have converted any of his countless chances, then we would have been sitting fourth by now! Nonetheless, great performance by the Youngsters who did well to atleast get on the end of those chances.
   The game started on a bright note for the gunners with Walcott unable to finish an early chance when through on goal. But they didn't had to wait long as Giroud scored in the 8th minute. Later Santi and Ramsey also went close to scoring but were denied by woodwork and Giant respectively. In the second half, Villa threatened at the start but Özil's strike in 56th minute ended their hopes of any comeback. And then they faded out with 70 odd minutes on clock with the gunners making full use of it and scoring 5 goals in a competitive match after almost two and a half years without their star performer Alexis Sanchez! With that, they also silenced all the accusations of being a one man team.
   It was a very pleasing result for Wenger who expressed his delight later. Here is what he had to say.
On the win
We scored goals and didn’t concede. Our offensive game was good even though I believe we had some weaker periods in the game when Aston Villa were in possession. We always looked dangerous when we got [in between] their lines and defensively we were sound as well. Overall it’s a positive day for us. I feel a bit for Villa because they gave a lot and fought very hard. Maybe it will be difficult for them but they were caught in the last 20 minutes because they were tired. The second goal was a blow for them but overall they did fight.
On hitting form at the right time
I would say yes, you are right. That shows as well that we have maybe found a better consistency. That will be very important until the end [of the season]. Let’s show that we can win more and it shows you as well that when the confidence level is higher and when everybody’s back defensively, it makes a difference. Defensive stability is vital - when you don’t have that, you suffer.
(quotes courtesy www.arsenal.com)