Villa pay the penalty as Gunners progress Sport Scotsman.com
Within two minutes, theo Walcott had levelled via a fortunate ricochet and then another penalty from their captain completed the turnaround to send Arsene Wenger’s men through to the last 16 against Sunderland or Middlesbrough.Arsenal - who had lost three successive Barclays Premier League games to lose ground on the top four - started quickly.Thomas Vermaelen lashed a 25-yard strike goalwards after being set up from a free-kick by Van Persie, though Villa keeper Shay Given touched over.On 13 minutes, Walcott collected Tomas Rosicky’s pass and skipped into the Villa box, but could only blast his shot past the near post.Despite being pegged back, Villa defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the break through Bent and Keane.
