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SUPER sub Cesc Fabregas fired the Gunners' title charge with a magical double in a 28-minute cameo.. and then limped off injured again!

The Spanish midfield maestro curled in a free-kick midway through the second-half and rounded off a perfect counter-attack with 10 minutes to go as Arsenal went second behind Chelsea.

Abou Diaby put the gloss on proceedings by curling in a stoppage time third as Villa's resilient defence finally capitulated.


FAB CAMEO ... Cesc Fabregas celebrates his first

Boss Arsene Wenger will be concerned that Fabregas pulled up lame immediately after scoring the Gunners second but it will not detract from his side's sterling second-half display.

It was a case of the best defensive record in the league taking on the most free-scoring attack and for over and hour it looked like Martin O'Neill's well-organised troops would hold firm.

Either side could have jumped to second with the win and there was the added carrot of leaders Chelsea dropping more points yesterday.

Arsenal started the brighter and Brad Friedel saved well from defender Thomas Vermaelen at the far post following a corner.

Eduardo then missed the chance of the half after barely four minutes.

The Croatian hitman picked up a pass from Diaby and superbly turned Carlos Cuellar but could only manage a tame shot straight at Friedel.

Denilson fired over as the Gunners continued to press, whilst the physical presence of Emile Heskey looked threatening for the visitors.

Following a swift counter-attack, Ashley Young saw his shot deflect off Alex Song and loop agonisingly over the bar with Manuel Alumunia left floundering.

The second-half introduction of Fabregas really sparked the home side into life.

The Spaniard's corner forced a scramble that led to Stiliyan Petrov's hurried clearance off the line and situation repeated minutes later when Richard Dunne attempted a crazy dummy which Eduardo latched on to and pulled the ball back for Fabregas.

Arshavin had a low strike saved by the left hand of Friedal and Dunne reacted quickest to turn away the rebound as the pressure cranked up several gears.

Theo Walcott was introduced in place of Eduardo and when the Gunners won a free kick on the left corner of the box, Fabregas curled in a perfect free-kick that emphatically beat the keeper's dive.

The midfielder then doubled the lead with a perfectly executed counter-attack.

Armand Traore drilled a superb crossfield pass into the path of Walcott who played in the rampaging Arsenal skipper for a coolly taken finish.

Fabregas immediately pulled up limping and was replaced minutes later with the game won.

The scoreline was given a final gloss in injuy time when Diaby was allowed to run through unchecked and, with defenders backing off, he curled his effort into the bottom corner.

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