By Myles Palmer

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Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 0

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THE VISITORS started quite brightly and then Villa realised how ordinary they were and camped in Arsenal's half.

On 25, Hleb produced a nice pass to Van Persie. He was level, but given offside.

On 38, Fabregas supplied Flamini but he blazed over the angle of post and bar. No composure, no confidence, no belief. Flamini did not want to shoot.

On 41, centreback Liam Ridgewell's studs were so high that they slammed into Van Persie's neck.

Sorensen did not have a shot to save in the first half.

AT HALF-TIME you wondered : What was the plan?

Go through the motions and then nick one in the second half?

There was a hole in midfield the size of the Grand Canyon.

If you sell Vieira, buy two players to replace him.

If you lose Vieira and Edu, sign three players to replace them, not just Hleb.

That's why Arsenal have only scored seven goals in 10 away games.

That's why they are 22 points behind Chelski.

And where was the urgency?

Where was the leadership?

Arsenal are a speed team - or nothing.

On their best days they strike early, strike fast, strike first - and overwhelm opponents with their speed.

They are not a tactical team who can be relied on to grind out a win with a late goal.

Arsenal lacked power and know-how all over the field and when Villa realised that they perked up and thought they could win.

After 53, Campbell miskicked a Sorensen goal clearance to Fabregas and Luke Moore robbed him and released Baros on the right.

The Czech had a one-one-one with Lehmann, who advanced to his optimum position and stopped and said, "Go on, beat me !"

Baros fired the ball hard over Lehmann's head and it flew over the bar.

GOOD GOALKEEPING !

After 54, Ljungberg cut in and smashed a left-foot shot against the bar.

Nice move : Fabregas to Henry to Ljungberg.

But that was as good as it got for Gooners .

Referee Uriah Rennie allowed Gavin McCnn to encroach on an Henry free-kick, even though the wall was only six yards away when the kick was taken.

After 60 minutes it was clear neither side could score.

Bergkamp, Reyes and Pires came on but it finished goalless.

THE BIG DARK SHADOW of Man United hung over this game like an invisible shroud.

Basically, Arsenal played as if they were pre-occupied by Tuesday night at Highbury.

If you go to a mid-table club and give a mid-table performance, you won't win and you'll find yourself in mid-table.

Arsenal should have attacked Villa from the kick-off and got three points.

This was a far easier game than Man United will be, especially with United coming a off a 4-1 win against Bolton at Old Trafford today.

SPURS beat Newcastle 2-0 and Michael Owen broke a metatarsal in his right foot. He will be out for months.

The only good news for Arsenal was that Wigan lost 3-0 to Blackburn.

But Wigan are still fifth on 34 points while Arsenal are sixth on 33 points, having played a game less.

David O'Leary sold Peter Crouch, who scored Liverpool's winner against WBA today.

That was Liverpool's tenth consecutive Premiership victory. They are third with two games in hand.

Chelsea beat Birmingham 2-0 with first-half goals by Crespo and Robben and they have 55 points.

Man United have 44 points from 20 games.

Rooney had a blinder and the goals came from Ronaldo (2), Saha and N'Gotty o.g.

Sir Alex was 64 today and says he still loves his job.

Mark Hughes may have to wait a while before taking over.

A few months ago I wrote about the way the season was shaping up.

I said : expect less and you won't be disappointed.

31st December 2005.

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