Premier League: Aston Villa 2 Arsenal 4

Aston Villa and Arsenal warmed the icy air with a six-goal thriller at Villa Park, as Arsene Wenger’s side outgunned their hosts.

With former-Arsenal player Robert Pires lasting a mere 45 minutes of his much anticipated home debut, two goals from youngster Ciaran Clark gave Villa late hope but a dominant first-half show from the visitors saw them secure three crucial points.

The hosts were caught cold straight from the kick off and only a last-ditch clearance from covering defender James Collins prevented Marouane Chamakh’s goal-bound shot giving Arsenal the lead with just 22 seconds on the clock.

Yet for all Arsenal’s possession, it was Villa who wasted the first half’s best chance on 25 minutes when Ashley Young half volleyed his angled shot narrowly over at the back post following Stewart Downing’s in-swinging cross.

The hosts were duly punished as Andrey Arshavin pounced on a midfield mix up to break along the left, drift inside and find the far corner of Brad Friedel’s net despite the goalkeeper getting finger tips on to the Russian’s curling shot.

Worse should have followed straight from the re-start when Samir Nasri rounded Friedel only to find the side netting of the American’s exposed goal. But after denying Chamakh at point blank range, Villa’s keeper stood no chance as Nasri’s sublime volley from the edge of the area sent the Gunners in 2-0 up at the break.

Villa had played second fiddle throughout but gave themselves hope with a beautiful goal six minutes after the restart. The visitors failed to clear an attack which bought Clark time to chest down a high ball and expertly volley past Lukasz Fabianski from just inside the area.

It was a composed finish from the young defender but it only conspired to rally Arsenal, who hit back to regain their two-goal advantage as Tomas Rosicky fed Chamakh to slip his shot under Friedel.

Villa took up the fight once more and having wasted a chance moments earlier, Clark added his second with 20 minutes to go with a header off the underside of the bar.

But deep in to added time Jack Wilshere’s diving header sealed an impressive away win for Arsenal.