Live Commentary

Last Updated at 4:55 pm, March 24th 2012

1. FT

   The referee blows his whistle for full-time. Arsenal have enjoyed plenty of fun in the sun today with a 3-0 victory. They now sit three points clear of Tottenham in third. Plenty for Gunners fans to smile about.

2. 90+3

   GOAL ARTETA! Arteta puts the cherry on the cake with a fantastic free-kick from 25 yards. His powerful drive gave Given no chance at all. Arsenal lead 3-0 and that is a fairer reflection of their dominance.

3. 90+2

   Lichaj is the fifth player to be booked today. Another correct call from the referee as the challenge on Song was late.

4. 90+1

   Arsenal run down the clock with a spell of possession.

5. 90

   We will have four minutes of additional time.

6. 89

   Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross from the right is headed behind for Arsenal's 15th corner of the game. The Gunners waste the flag-kick as they fail when working it short.

7. 88

   Collins becomes the latest Villa played to be booked today for a clumsy challenge on Arteta.

8. 87

   Arsenal win a free-kick deep in their own half as Vermaelen is bundled over by Agbonlahor.

9. 86

   Arsenal have been in second gear for the majority of this half but they haven't had to do any more than that. All the damage was done in the opening period when they completely dominated.

10. 85

    Villa have been better after the break but they haven't made their time in the final third count. The youngsters who have come off the bench have all offered something.

11. 84

    Weimann's effort from 12 yards deflects off Djourou to take the pace off the ball and Szczesny is easily able to gather possession.

12. 83

    Oxlade-Chamberlain charges forward and he falls to the ground in a challenge with Ireland just inside the box. The referee waves play on and replays suggest the midfielder won the ball. That is a great decision.

13. 82

    They can't make anything of it as Arsenal head clear.

14. 81

    Villa have a free-kick in a decent position.

15. 80

    Good work from Djourou to ease Ireland off the ball on the edge of the Arsenal box. The defender has done well after his late call to the team and early injury worry.

16. 79

    This game is very quiet at the moment. Arsenal lead 2-0 and nothing we have seen today suggests Villa are capable of launching a comeback. Would be interesting if they surprised everyone.

17. 78

    Villa make their final change of the game as well with Eric Lichaj taking the place of Hutton.

18. 77

    Arsenal make their final change with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replacing Walcott.

19. 76

    Cuellar takes the ball away from van Persie and knocks the ball out of play for an Arsenal throw. The Spaniard has been the pick of Villa's defenders on a tough day.

20. 75

    Ramsey turns on the edge of the box and drives a low effort wide. This hasn't been quite as entertaining from Arsenal in the second half but they are still very dominant.

21. 74

    Arteta takes the free-kick and fires a decent effort narrowly over the bar.

22. 73

    Ireland is lucky to avoid a very quick second yellow card as he fouls Walcott. Probably the right call from the referee. Free-kick to Arsenal on the left.

23. 72

    Ireland is booked for a lunging challenge on Song.

24. 71

    Weimann's cut-back from the left evades his team-mates and Arsenal clear.

25. 69

    Arsenal now make a double change with Aaron Ramsey and Andre Santos replacing Gervinho and Gibbs. That could add some new spark to the Gunners' play.

26. 68

    Gardner's weak effort is deflected behind for a corner. Villa work the flag-kick short and Albrighton's resulting cross is easily headed clear.

27. 67

    Villa make the change with Weimann replacing the disappointing Heskey.

28. 66

    Given does really well to turn Rosicky's powerful drive away from goal. Villa clear the loose ball. Still Arsenal looking by far the more likely side to strike.

29. 65

    Villa are going to make a second change with Andreas Weimann set to be introduced.

30. 64

    Van Persie's corner from the left is met by Song at the far post and his weak header goes over the bar on the bounce. Warnock returns to the field.

31. 63

    Warnock leaves the field after treatment. We wait for the corner.

32. 62

    Rosicky's powerful volley is deflected behind by Warnock for a corner. That was painful for the defender and he needs some treatment.

33. 61

    Albrighton's low cross from the right is easily gathered by Szczesny on the edge of his six-yard box. The winger has been the main man looking to make things happen for Villa.

34. 60

    Gervinho is involved again as this time he produces some solid defendind to win the ball from Albrighton. Villa are showing a little more attacking threat but Arsenal still appear very comfortable.

35. 59

    A very strong challenge denies Gervinho as he looks to get a shot in on goal. The Arsenal forward has been very lively after the break.

36. 58

    Gervinho's low cross from the left can't find anyone in the box and the ball goes behind for a goal-kick. That was a nervous moment for Villa.

37. 57

    Frustration for Ireland as he is caught offside when in space behind the Arsenal defence.

38. 56

    Arteta takes the free-kick but he can only power the ball straight into the Villa wall. The danger is cleared but the away side still have lots to worry about.

39. 55

    Gardner quickly gets involved but not a good way as he concedes a free-kick for a challenge on Gervinho.

40. 54

    Villa make their first change of the day with Gary Gardner replacing Herd.

41. 53

    Warnock is rightly booked by the referee for a clumsy challenge on Walcott. He just can't deal with the former Southampton man.

42. 52

    Villa win a corner as Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross is knocked behind. The flag-kick is punched clear by Szczesny.

43. 51

    Arsenal are denied their 12th corner of the day as Rosicky sees his appeals rejected by the referee.

44. 50

    Strong play from Alan Hutton as he denies Gervinho space in the Villa box. He wins a free-kick as the forward pushes him over in frustration.

45. 49

    No danger for Villa from the corner as Rosicky heads the ball high over the bar.

46. 48

    We have Arsenal's first corner of the second half as Walcott's cross is knocked behind by Warnock.

47. 47

    Arsenal quickly get back in their stride and enjoy a sustained spell of possession.

48. 46

    We are back under way with a long ball forward from Villa quickly cleared.

49. And here are Arsenal.

50. Villa are back on the field. They need to do much better in this half.

51. No shock to learn that Arsenal are 1/100 to win this game with Sky Bet and Villa are 100/1. The draw is 25/1 and van Persie is 3/1 to score next.

52. HT

    The referee blows his whistle for half-time. Arsenal lead 2-0 and it should be more. Very poor from Villa.

53. 45+3

    Gervinho is back on the field and play continues.

54. 45+2

    Gervinho needs some treatment so this half will be further extended.

55. 45+1

    Gervinho can't find Walcott with a neat pass in the Villa box and the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.

56. 45

    There will be three minutes of additional time. That is because Djourou was injured early on.

57. 44

    Arsenal keep the ball at the back and Villa are very happy to let them do that as we near the break.

58. 43

    Villa head van Persie's corner out of the box. This has been complete dominance from Arsenal since they took the lead. The hosts should be leading by more.

59. 42

    Arsenal's 10th corner of the match is headed behind for their 11th.

60. 41

    It was awful defending from Villa in the build-up to van Persie's last chance. Warnock did very well to head the ball over the bar but he has struggled badly with Walcott's threat down the right.

61. 40

    Arsenal win another corner from the first flag-kick. Villa clear the danger from the next one.

62. 39

    Warnock gets himself back in Villa's good books as he produces an incredible header to knock van Persie's effort off the line. That was fantastic from the left-back.

63. 38

    Arsenal enjoy a spell of possession at the back. Villa have men behind the ball but they haven't been able to reduce the space available to the Gunners.

64. 37

    Given stays strong to gather Walcott's header in the centre of his goal. It was once again far too easy for Arsenal to create that chance.

65. 36

    Some rare good defending from Villa as they crowd out van Persie and knock the ball away from the right hand side of their box.

66. 35

    Stephen Ireland's strong challenge wins the ball from Gervinho and Villa clear.

67. 34

    Cuellar's cross from the left evades everyone in the Arsenal box and goes out of play for a throw on the opposite flank.

68. 33

    A slight break for Villa as they enjoy a spell of possession. Albrighton has been the one bright spark for the away side.

69. 32

    This is very convincing from Arsenal. The vast majority of their attacking threat is coming down the right with Walcott causing Warnock all kinds of problems. The forward is in good form at the moment.

70. 31

    Arsenal look a little bit silly as van Persie and Arteta work a short corner. The referee is wide awake and spots van Persie is offside as he collects the return pass.

71. 30

    Walcott's low cross from the right is turned behind by Collins. Corner number seven to Arsenal.

72. 29

    Van Persie takes Arsenal's sixth corner of the game and he works it short. Arteta's cross is headed over the bar by Djourou. This is very worrying for Villa as the Gunners create chances at will.

73. 28

    Arteta's rasping effort from 25 yards is turned over the top of the bar by Given. Great save.

74. 27

    It should be 3-0 as Vermaelen's low cross is knocked over the top of the bar by van Persie. Villa just can't stop Arsenal's attack.

75. 25

    GOAL WALCOTT! So easy for Arsenal as Alex Song's cultured chip over the top of the defence finds Walcott and the forward fires home. Villa were nowhere near Walcott but Song deserves plenty of praise for the vision to create the goal.

76. 25

    Arsenal have another corner and van Persie's cross is headed clear. The Gunners are getting lots of chances to test Villa from set-pieces.

77. 24

    Villa have responded well in attack since falling behind but they look too open at the back. Walcott is having plenty of joy down the right.

78. 23

    Villa win a corner at the other end and Albrighton's flag-kick is headed clear.

79. 22

    Van Persie's corner from the right is easily collected by Given inside his six-yard box.

80. 21

    Walcott easily takes the ball away from Warnock but Cuellar spots the danger and concedes a corner with a strong challenge.

81. 20

    Chris Herd's cross from the left is easily claimed by Wojciech Szczesny. Not much for the Arsenal goalkeeper to do so far.

82. 19

    The referee penalises at the corner as Vermaelen is punished for a push. Free-kick to Villa.

83. 18

    Arsenal attack again as Van Persie's cross from the left is turned behind for a corner by Collins. Villa have given themselves it all to do.

84. 16

    GOAL GIBBS! Arsenal take the lead as Kieran Gibbs easily finds space behind the Villa defence and slots the ball under the body of Given. That was dreadful defending and the Gunners took advantage to lead 1-0.

85. 15

    Stiliyan Petrov goes straight through the back of Mikel Arteta with a very late challenge. That was silly and he is rightly booked.

86. 14

    Van Persie's corner from the right is met by Thomas Vermaelen but he can only send the ball high over over the bar. Bright from the Gunners so far.

87. 13

    Rosicky's cross from the right hits Stephen Warnock and goes behind for a corner. Arsenal full of rhythm when they have the ball.

88. 12

    Carlos Cuellar knocks the ball out of play for a Arsenal throw. Villa's defence will need to keep their composure today.

89. 11

    Arsenal - as you would expect - are dominating possession so far and we can tell you that the earlier e-mailer was Justin.

90. 10

    A lovely move from Arsenal ends with Walcott's shot parried by Shay Given and Bacary Sagana on the wrong foot for the rebound as he slices the ball wide. It was a lovely flick from van Persie to create Walcott's chance.

91. 9

    Arsenal get the ball back up the other end and win a throw-in as Gervinho is halted.

92. 8

    Villa break at speed as Marc Albrighton charges forward and fires a powerful effort over the bar.

93. 7

    Robin van Persie has his first shot of the match and the effort is deflected behind for a corner. Villa clear the flag-kick.

94. 6

    The action gets back under way and Djourou returns to the field.

95. 5

    Still we wait as Djourou returns to his feet. Remember he is a very late inclusion in the Arsenal side after Koscielny was injured in the warm-up.

96. 4

    We wait for the game to get back under way with Djourou receiving treatment.

97. 3

    Djourou is caught by Emile Heskey's elbow in an aerial challenge. Nothing sinister from the striker in the challenge but he was careless. There will be no punishment from the referee.

98. 2

    Theo Walcott looks to find some space by the Villa box but James Collins is aware of the danger and clears.

99. 1

    Here we go with Arsenal keeping the ball at the back early on.

100. Just to remind you we have that one change in the Arsenal XI initially announced with Djourou taking over from Koscielny in the centre of defence.

101. The Arsenal fans are showing their support for Fabrice Muamba by carrying a banner with the former Gunners midfielder's face on across the ground.

102. The players are on the field.

103. Only five minutes until we get under way now. A few seats are left to fill but everyone is enjoying the fine weather.

104. A hello to this mystery e-mailer with the view: "Oh no Koscielny is out! Djourou is in so we can't expect any surging runs from the defence without losing the ball today never mind. I predict Arsenal will have a romp today they tend to like the sunshine RVP brace with gervinho and rosicky scoring 4-0 to the gunners! Come on you Reds!!!" Who is the e-mail from? Let us know who you are and send in your e-mails to nick.hext@bskyb.com.

105. We have a late change to the Arsenal side to tell you about with Johan Djourou replacing Laurent Koscielny in the heart of the defence. Carl Jenkinson takes the space spot on the bench.

106. Here is some more detailed team news for the game: Arsenal make just one change as they go in search of a seventh straight Premier League win with Gervinho replacing Aaron Ramsey. The Gunners have been rejuvenated since the start of February, and have overhauled north London rivals Tottenham to climb to third. Ramsey is on the bench, along with England youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the only change from the midweek win at Everton. Villa, meanwhile, are looking to build on a three-match unbeaten run. Winger Charles N'Zogbia misses out because of a knee problem. Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor lead the visitors' attack. Andreas Weimann - who scored a stoppage-time winner against Fulham last time out - is on the bench.

107. Arsenal are the 1/3 favourites with our friends at Sky Bet to win this match, Aston Villa are 8/1 and the draw can be backed at 4/1.

108. The teams are in and here they are - Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Gervinho, van Persie Subs: Fabianski, Andre Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Djourou, Chamakh, Benayoun

109. Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Petrov, Herd, Albrighton, Ireland, Heskey, Agbonlahor Subs: Guzan, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Baker, Gardner, Carruthers

110. The referee is Phil Dowd.

111. Hello and welcome to a sunny Emirates Stadium for today's Barclays Premier League clash between Arsenal and Aston Villa. It's a lovely day in the capital so get the e-mail sent to nick.hext@bskyb.com as we get closer to kick-off.