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Premier League
Jan 13, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
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Benteke (76')
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Wilshere (34'), Giroud (35')

Aston Villa vs. Arsenal: Top five matches

Ahead of Aston Villa vs. Arsenal on Monday night, Sports Mole selects five of the most memorable encounters between the two sides.

On Monday evening, Aston Villa will play host to league leaders Arsenal at Villa Park.

Although it is a match that may not automatically inspire the neutrals, it is a fixture that has seen plenty of goals down the years.

So, ahead of the 189th meeting between the two sides, Sports Mole has picked out five of the best previous encounters.

1. Arsenal 4-5 Villa, March 1962

Both of these teams struggled for large parts of 1961-62 campaign, but that didn't stop them from scoring nine goals in this contest. Bobby Thomson put the visitors in front, before Alan Skirton and Geoff Strong saw Arsenal go in front at the break. Strong made it 3-1 to the hosts shortly after the restart, but soon after Thomson reduced the arrears. However, when Skirton made it 4-2, it looked as though the Gunners had sealed all three points. Villa refused to be beaten, though, and they claimed the victory in the closing stages thanks to a brace from Derek Dougan and a strike from Vic Crowe.

2. Villa 2-6 Arsenal, October 1983

Having won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest, Tony Woodcock arrived at Highbury in 1982 via German club FC Koln with a big reputation. He was the team's leading goalscorer during the 1982-83 campaign and repeated that feat during the next season with the help of five goals during the 6-2 thrashing of Villa at Villa Park. Brian McDermott also found the net for the away team, while Allan Evans and Tony Morley scored what would prove to be consolation efforts.

3. Villa 2-2 Arsenal, September 1996

Some sections of the English media dubbed Villa's Savo Milosevic 'Miss-a-lot-evic' during his three-year stint in England. The Serbian was on top form on this occasion, though, as he fired in two goals to put the home side in what looked to be a comfortable lead. Yet the North Londoners rallied, with Paul Merson reducing the deficit 20 minutes from time, before centre-back Andy Linighan ensured that the spoils would be shared in stoppage time.

4. Villa 3-2 Arsenal, December 1998

Many had doubted Villa's title credentials during the 1998-99 season, but some of those started to take notice after this clash. Dennis Bergkamp put Arsenal 2-0 up, but a goal from Julian Joachim and a brace scored by Dion Dublin saw the home team complete a dramatic turnaround. It prompted Villa boss John Gregory to say at the end: "I believe after the week we have had against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal that there are four teams who have the potential to be champions - including us." As it was, Arsenal finished second, while Villa slipped to sixth.

5. Arsenal 3-2 Villa, December 2001

Merson was a hero among the majority of the Arsenal faithful during his 12 years with the club, but he returned to haunt them when he put Villa 1-0 in front. Then, when Steve Stone scored a second in the 34th minute, it appeared that visitors were cruising to all three points. However, Sylvain Wiltord scored for Arsenal 60 seconds after the restart, before Thierry Henry scored twice - one which arrived in the 90th minute - to fire Arsene Wenger's team to victory.

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Manchester United and Arsenal players clash during a match at Old Trafford on October 24, 2004.
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