Arsenal wins to return to top spot

Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City and Chelsea to return to the top of the Premier League with victory at Aston Villa.

It was a win that was, for the most part, comfortable in the extreme as goals from Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud inside a minute in the first half gave Arsene Wenger's team the lead their superiority fully deserved.

Villa had spent much of the game chasing shadows and being outclassed but finally managed to give the visitors some anxious moments when Christian Benteke scored his first goal since 14 September with a diving header 14 minutes from time.