ARSENAL 1 ASTON VILLA 0
Thierry Henry scored the only goal of the match on the hour mark, and Arsenal could have gone on to score more, but for some fine defending by Gareth Southgate and a string of missed chances for the home side.
Neither goalkeeper was particularly overworked before the interval, as both looked to build attacks through the midfield. The most threatening shots for both sides came from long range, but never really looked like catching either custodian off guard.
With Villa being caught offside on a number of occasions, Arsenal looked to launch counter attacks as quickly as possible in the first half, but some solid work by the Villa defence continued to deny the Gunners forwards.
After the break it seemed that Villa were ready to take the game to Arsene Wenger's men, as they immediately launched an attack from the kick-off.
However, it wasn't to be for John Gregory's side, as Arsenal quickly regained their composure and were soon back in the game. The home side then looked to press forward at every opportunity, and were rewarded for their efforts on 60 minutes.
Robert Pires put the ball through to international team-mate Thierry Henry, who managed to fend off the challenge of Alpay to fire the ball into the bottom corner of the net as an astounded David James watched on motionless.
Arsenal then took control of the game and Villa's plight was made all the more difficult when young midfielder Lee Hendrie was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Having been shown the yellow card for dissent minutes before, Hendrie brought down Pires as he ran-on and the referee had no hesitation in showing the Villa player the yellow card for a second time.
However, the referee did have some hesitation in sending Hendrie from the field of play, after initially failing to realise that he had already booked the player. He did realise soon after, and Hendrie left the field to add to Gregory's woes.
Arsenal then had a number of opportunities to seal the win, but were guilty of wasting several chances, including three attempts at a one-on-one with David James in the Villa goal.
Southgate did well to deny Dennis Bergkamp, clearing the ball off the line after the Dutchman had chipped David James. But Villa were ultimately lacking in the final third of the pitch and never really looked like getting back into the match after the goal went in.
