Soccer Central

Aston Villa went 2-0 down against Arsenal at Villa Park today, falling behind after 40 minutes due to a Denilson goal, and then going even further behind just after half-time when Abou Diaby slammed in a second for the visitors.

Gareth Barry came to Aston Villa’s rescue in the 65th minute as he slotted home a penalty, and it was then Zat Knight who scored the eventual equaliser for Villa in injury time. Villa left it late, still managed a point from the match though, and that will no doubt have been Martin O’Neill’s happiest point of the season so far.

Villa now lead Arsenal by 3 points, and having played the same amount of games as Arsenal now sit happily in fourth place in the Premier League. We’re only halfway through the season and there’s still a lot of work for Villa to do yet if they’re to finish in the top four; right now they’re doing it though, and if Villa can keep up this kind of form until the end of the season then we could have a different English team in the Champions League next season for the first time in a long while.

Right now Aston Villa is the team most likely to break the top four; Everton is only three points behind Arsenal however, and without a known striker even present in the team at current; Everton could most definitely be a top four threat as well when the team’s forward players are once more fighting fit.

Aston Villa battled hard today, and was ultimately rewarded for a tenacious display of football with a much deserved point against Arsenal.

Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United don’t look like giving up any of the top three positions; right now fourth position is up for grabs though, and Arsenal currently looks like missing out on playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal