Premier League: Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 2

Arsenal have kept up the pressure on the English Premier League leaders thanks to a 2-1 away win over Aston Villa on Wednesday.

A Robin van Persie penalty gave the Gunners the lead after 17 minutes, but Marc Albrighton equalised nine minutes after the break with what was the 20,000th goal in the Premier League.

A header from substitute Yossi Benayoun three minutes from the end was enough to hand Arsenal all three points.

The home side started the game brightly and nearly opened the scoring within five minutes, with Gabriel Agbonlahor’s bullet header forcing a magnificent reaction save out of Wojciech Szczesny.

Arsenal endured a tough start but were given the perfect chance to take the lead after 15 minutes when Theo Walcott turned brilliantly in the box but was tugged back by Ciaran Clark.

Despite the England winger trying to stay on his feet, referee Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot.

Van Persie stepped up to lash the ball high into the net, equalling Thierry Henry’s mark of 34 Premier League goals scored in a calendar year and leaving him just two behind Alan Shearer’s record of 36.

The Dutchman almost provided an instant second as he played through Walcott, who could only hit Villa ‘keeper Brad Guzan with an attempted chip as the American came rushing off his line.

Villa were looking to work their way back into the game, Stiliyan Petrov forcing Szczesny to save a 30-yard effort and Albrighton’s cross worrying the Arsenal backline with Stephen Ireland close.

Arsenal’s slick passing was dangerous on the break, and good work from van Persie sent Aaron Ramsey bursting through midfield but the Welshman rushed his shot from the edge of the area with Walcott well placed.

Ireland was taken off shortly before the interval with a calf strain and Villa went in behind at the break, but had perhaps had the best of the first-half play.

The second period started in a similar vein with Villa keen to dominate Arsenal’s patchy defence and the Gunners looking to Walcott and Gervinho’s pace on the counter.

The home side’s pressure finally told 10 minutes into the second half.

Guzan’s long ball could only find Thomas Vermaelen but his header to Per Mertesacker was short and Albrighton moved in, rounding the German and slotting past Szczesny.

Arsenal almost re-took the lead immediately, van Persie’s corner falling to Mertesacker who hit a half-volley that was clawed away by Guzan.

Van Persie was looking the Gunners’ most likely source of a goal, and he set off on a twisting run towards the box going past Dunne before falling under Stephen Warnock’s challenge in the box.

The referee decided the Dutchman was already on his way to ground when contact was made, however, and the Arsenal captain was booked for simulation.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, both sides pushed for a winner, Arsenal bringing on Benayoun and Andrey Arshavin for Gervinho and Ramsey.

The Russian went close with a deflected effort which left Guzan stranded.

The Gunners took the lead from the resulting corner, however, with Benayoun nodding home from the six-yard box to score his first goal for Arsenal.

Things got worse for Villa in stoppage time as Alan Hutton picked up two late yellow cards and he will now be suspended for their Boxing Day trip to Stoke.