Arsenal have moved back to the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

The Gunners almost took the lead after just five minutes when Bacary Sagna whipped a fine delivery into the box that Olivier Giroud flicked just wide of the far post.

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The hosts' first chance fell to Fabian Delph in the 13th minute, but he could only drag his low shot past the post from the edge of the penalty area.

Villa then squandered another chance to take the lead midway through the first half as Karim El Ahmadi ghosted into the box but put his effort over the bar.

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Arsenal broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when Jack Wilshere controlled Nacho Monreal's pass on the edge of the box before firing a low effort past Brad Guzan and into the bottom corner.

The Gunners made it 2-0 immediately afterwards, Wilshere this time providing the pass to set up Giroud, who found the same corner just 17 seconds after the match had restarted.

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The visitors' tested Guzan again on the hour mark when Santi Cazorla hit a low effort towards the corner, but the American got down well to make the save.

Villa then produced a rare threat to Wojciech Szczesny's goal as Christian Benteke showed good strength to compete with a couple of Arsenal defenders before firing an effort just past the post.

He wouldn't have to wait much longer to end his goal drought, however, as he scored with a diving header when left unmarked at the back post two minutes later to haul his side back into the contest.

Benteke caused problems again in the closing stages as he won another header in the box, but this time he could only nod straight at Szczesny as Arsenal held out for the victory.