The Spaniard, who had been out with a hamstring problem, netted a superb free-kick on 65 minutes at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and then a fine breakaway goal before being substituted as a precaution, with Abou Diaby scoring a third in stoppage-time. Villa - who had already beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool this season - looked dangerous on the break but could not make the most of their pressure midway through the second half. Fabregas was named on the bench following a hamstring injury. Full-back Armand Traore recovered from a similar problem to start, with Bacary Sagna also back in the starting XI. England forward Emile Heskey recovered from a groin problem to lead the Villa attack. The Gunners had plenty of possession but were unable to break down a determined Villa defence in the first half. Eduardo missed a good early opportunity when he shot tamely straight at the keeper, but otherwise Brad Friedel was not really troubled. Villa looked dangerous on the break. After the restart, Eduardo's deep free-kick was pushed away by Friedel before the Villa defence scrambled the ball off their goalline following a corner. With 33 minutes left, Denilson was replaced by Fabregas. Eduardo was unfortunate to see his close-range effort cleared by Stephen Warnock after a clever exchange with Andriy Arshavin down the left. Friedel then denied the Russian with a full stretch save after Fabregas had weaved into the area, and Richard Dunne cleared as Eduardo looked to knock the loose ball in. On 65 minutes, Arsenal were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out when Dunne tripped Fabregas. It proved costly as the Spaniard stepped up to curl a sublime effort up over the wall and into the top left corner. Fittingly, the skipper notched again as Arsenal wrapped up the points with a superb breakaway goal on 81 minutes. After a spell of Villa pressure, Traore hit a long diagonal pass out to Theo Walcott on the right, who dashed forwards before touching the ball into the path of the onrushing Fabregas - who swept home a 12th goal of the season. The Spaniard, though, appeared to have aggravated his hamstring injury and was replaced by Aaron Ramsey for the closing stages. Almunia made a brave save to deny Gabriel Agbonlahor, before Diaby netted a third goal in stoppage-time, slotting in a low finish from the edge of the area. The win takes Arsenal up to second, four points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand, ahead of Manchester United's match at Hull later on Sunday. Villa stay fourth, four points behind Arsenal having played a game more.
