Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 2: match report
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday May 15 2011.
PREVIEW
LIVE
REPORT
ARSENAL
1 - 2
FT
ASTON VILLA
Sunday, May 15 16:00
Premier League
Emirates Stadium
van Persie (89)
(HT 0-2)
ATT: 60,023
Bent (11, 15)
Double delight: Darren Bent scored two first-half goals as Aston Villa beat Arsenal at the Emirates Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By John Ley, Emirates Stadium 6:00PM BST 15 May 2011
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It was described as a lap of appreciation but it was more like a walk of shame around a near-deserted Emirates Stadium as Arsenal finished their home programme with another embarrassing defeat that could leave them having to qualify for the Champions League.
Arsenal conceded two goals in the opening 15 minutes to the rampant Darren Bent and could drop to fourth place on Tuesday night if Manchester City beat Stoke.
“It’s very disappointing,” Arsène Wenger admitted. “We were caught by a very bad start. We dropped three points that could cost us automatic qualification for the Champions League. It will be a big setback [if they have to qualify] but we will adapt our preparation to it.”
Of the 'lap of appreciation’ in front of as few as 15,000 patient fans, the Frenchman insisted: “It was not embarrassing, it was our job to thank the fans and you never have to be embarrassed when you do your job. It was not through glory but no matter what kind of result happened you have to respect your fans.”
Arsenal were missing key players, including captain Cesc Fabregas, who has been ruled out for three to four weeks with a thigh injury, meaning that he misses the final-day trip to Fulham and Spanish international action.
But even the inclusion of Fabregas may not have prevented this poor performance. The home supporters booed their team off at the interval and again at full-time and in between they responded to the controversial 6.5 per cent season-ticket price rise for next season by singing: “Six per cent, you’re having a laugh.”
And Villa were having a chuckle early on, taking an 11th-minute lead through Bent. When Stiliyan Petrov sent the ball high over the Arsenal defence Bent was unmarked. The England striker was played onside by Sébastien Squillaci but still had much to do as he chested the ball before volleying it into the top corner.
Four minutes later, James Collins’ low pass sent Ashley Young forward, and his ball past the returning Thomas Vermaelen handed Bent the chance to claim a second, which he took with a neat finish.
Arsenal responded and could have had a penalty when Aaron Ramsey was brought down by Richard Dunne, while Robin Van Persie hit the post.
At half-time Wenger replaced Squillaci, with Alex Song moving into defence and replacement Marouane Chamakh going into attack. But the change offered little improvement.
Chamakh did have the ball in the net but was harshly penalised for a push on Kyle Walker. A consolation goal arrived in the final minute, predictably from Van Persie, claiming his 20th goal in 22 games in 2011. Sadly, his team-mates have failed to maintain such consistency.
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