FA Cup wrap: Arsenal survive Villa, Sunderland held

Talisman Robin van Persie struck twice as Arsenal came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

Three goals in a destructive 10-minute spell turned the game on its head at the Emirates Stadium, after Villa had deservedly led at the break thanks to goals from Richard Dunne and Darren Bent.

Arsene Wenger’s side, who had lost their last three games in all competitions, appeared to be on course for another miserable day until two Van Persie penalties and a Theo Walcott effort rescued the outcome.

Visitors Villa took the lead 32 minutes into the match.

A short-corner routine lead to Keane clipping the ball into the box, and centre-back Richard Dunne rose highest to power a header into the top corner.

Villa doubled their advantage with a fast break-away moments before half-time.

Darren Bent ran on to Stephen Ireland’s precise through ball and clinically tucked a shot home from a tight angle after Lukasz Fabianski had saved his initial effort.

The hosts were handed a lifeline nine minutes into the second half, when Aaron Ramsey won a penalty after being cynically felled by Dunne in the area.

Van Persie stepped up to coolly send Shay Given the wrong way and bag his 24th goal of the campaign.

Just moments later Hutton’s goal-line clearance fortuitously struck Walcott and bounced into the net after the winger had initially tricked his way through the defence and seen a low shot blocked.

The turnaround was then completed when referee Michael Jones awarded another blatant spot-kick after Laurent Koscielny’s surging run was brought to a halt by Bent, with Van Persie emphatically converting into the roof of the net.

Earlier, Sunderland needed a 59th-minute equaliser from Fraizer Campbell to draw 1-1 at home to local rivals Middlesbrough, and secure a replay against their Championship opponents.

Campell has missed 18 months of football in the last two years due to successive knee injuries, but he returned to action off the bench at the Stadium of Light, making his first appearance since August 2010.

And the home side needed the former Manchester United striker to cancel out Barry Robson’s early opener for Middlesbrough.

The two teams will meet again at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday 7 February, with the winner to host Arsenal in the fifth round.