Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger felt his side were on the end of an 'unlucky' 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa. An own goal from Gael Clichy and an excellent strike from Gabriel Agbonlahor secured an impressive triumph for Martin O'Neill's side and dented the Gunners title ambitions.

Wenger rued the misfortune surrounding Clichy's diverted header and pointed to a challenge on Carlos Vela leading up to Villa's second.

He told Sky Sports: "We were not sharp today. I think we were lucky to end the first half at 0-0.

"I think we never really found our flow in the second half. They defended very well. They were sharper than us.

"When you get slowly got on top, it was the kind of game you can win 1-0 but you cannot make a big mistake at the back.

"They scored with an own goal, which was unlucky for us, and that made it very difficult for ourselves.

"After the second goal on the break I felt we were a bit unlucky as there was a free-kick for us at the edge of the box. But instead of 1-1 it is 2-0."