Touré de farce hits Arsenal's ambition

Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 1

Sir Alex Ferguson says he does not like midday kick-offs, but the Manchester United manager must be warming to them. Twice in a row now he has seen his side gain precious victories to reclaim top spot temporarily and, in so doing, unsettle Arsenal. Two weeks ago, the Gunners just managed to see off Everton after United had eased past Fulham, but Arsène Wenger's men came unstuck at Villa Park yesterday following Liverpool's surrender at Old Trafford. Like the title race, United are getting closer and closer.

The two sides are now separated only by goal difference six days from the end, and the run-in promises to be one of the most exciting in the 11 years of the Premiership. "Well, it makes it thrilling for everybody," Wenger said. "The best team will come out of this on top and I still believe that'll be us." Graham Taylor is not so sure. "Arsenal will be looking over their shoulders a bit now," he said, "and I'd say the race is wide open."

Villa started brightly, with England's midweek hero Darius Vassell making the sort of confident runs we had come to expect of him before his recent poor run of form. Gareth Barry may be stuck in the Under-21 squad but he, too, stood out. He played in the back three, but still made forward forays, and his 17th-minute shot from the left of the area was only just over Stuart Taylor's goal.

While not quite on the back foot, Arsenal were struggling to find their natural rhythm. Villa's 3-4-2-1 system was proving very effective in stifling the visitors. The Arsenal midfield, in particular, were finding little or no room in which to operate comfortably. Patrick Vieira, a colossus against Everton and 10 days ago Chelsea, was being well marshalled by Joey Gudjonsson, while his fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry looked a little jaded following back-to-back internationals. It tells you everything that their only chance at goal in the first half came courtesy of a low, and tame, shot from Freddie Ljungberg. Arsenal missed the injured Robert Pires, too.

Arsenal emerged from their half-time team talk more pumped-up but still lacking their normal panache in the final third. Before Wenger had even rejoined his seat, Ljungberg broke free through the centre before releasing Dennis Bergkamp. The Dutchman has never been the quickest so, at 34, his chances of beating Olof Mellberg for pace were always limited. If speed is a problem, then resort to skill. Henry, isolated just outside the right-hand edge of Villa's box, teed himself up for an audacious dipper, that Peter Enckelman was happy to see land on the roof of his net.

With 52 minutes on the clock, Arsenal upped the pressure again, as Henry found himself in acres of room on the edge of the box before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the path of the advancing Ljungberg. How the Swede missed the chance remains a mystery, but at least he wasted no time in making amends. Two minutes after his fluffed left-foot attempt, he was again in the right place at the right time, but this time made no mistake. Gilberto Silva deserves much credit for his powerful right-foot shot from an acute angle, but Enckelman will be angry that he spilled the ball and Ulises de la Cruz will be even angrier that he switched off to let Ljungberg steal in at the far post.

Taylor quickly changed things around, switching to a more conventional 4-4-2 and introducing Rob Edwards and Marcus Allback. The alterations almost paid instant dividends, as Thomas Hitzlsperger found himself in a more advanced position and let rip from 17 yards. Taylor needed to be at his athletic best to get a hand to the ball and concede a corner.

The tension was mounting and, on their very next attack, Villa found an equaliser. Allback, who is a prolific goalscorer for Sweden but has so far struggled to make an impact at Villa Park, made a nuisance of himself in the Arsenal box and then watched as the visitors' left-back Kolo Touré smashed a hashed clearance into his own net. "We made the changes and they paid off," Taylor said.

Arsenal threw on Ashley Cole, Sylvain Wiltord and then Francis Jeffers in search of the all-important winning goal, but there was no way through Villa's resolute defence. Arsenal will have to play a lot better to retain their title, but at least they are still top this morning – just.

Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 1
Toure og 71; Ljungberg 56

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 42,602