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Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa

Arsenal 3-2 Aston Villa
© PA Photos
Arsenal come from two goals down at half-time to knock Aston Villa out of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

Arsenal fought back from a two-goal half-time deficit to knock Aston Villa out of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

Villa looked to be heading through when goals from Richard Dunne and Darren gave them a healthy looking advantage at the break, only for the Gunners to strike three times in 15 minutes after the restart.

The visitors' first of the evening came from Dunne, who rose highest to head in a cross from his Republic of Ireland teammate Robbie Keane.

On the stroke of half-time their advantage was doubled when Bent latched onto a through ball from Stephen Ireland. His first effort was parried by Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski but the England international managed to convert the rebound from a tight angle.

Arsenal were jeered off at the break for their first-half showing.

However, by the hour-mark the home side had got themselves in front with some aid from both of Villa's goalscorers.

Dunne brought down Aaron Ramsey inside the area after 52 minutes and a penalty was awarded. Captain Robin van Persie stepped up to convert from 12 yards.

Just four minutes later Arsene Wenger's side hauled themselves level when Villa full-back Alan Hutton's clearance struck an unsuspecting Theo Walcott and the ball looped into the net over a stranded Shay Given in goal.

As the clock ticked past 59 minutes Arsenal won another penalty when Laurent Koscielny was hauled down inside the area, with Bent the offender on this occasion. Van Persie stepped up to send Given the wrong way again.

Villa's best chance to earn a replay from the tie fell to Ciaran Clark, but his header from Ireland's cross was held by Fabianski.

Arsenal will travel to Sunderland in round five of the competition.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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