However, most of you have probably seen it for yourself by now, so I won't go into great detail.

It was only a fiver to see it on a big screen at the Emirates, and for that you also get a free drink, The Bank posse had a good turnout, and we got in early to make sure we got a back row seat, but by the time it kicked off there were another five rows behind us. There were probably a thousand punters in the Woolwich Club Level Lounge viewing the three screens, and at least three other lounges were open, although not all as spacious.

Dom was unhappy that the rather small pies were a fiver each, and he calculated that the small heated cabinet had £120 worth in it. He needs to eat before he comes out, or pop into Waitrose and get the Duck Hoisin Wrap, at £3.00 it's a bargain.

After the match Wenger complained about the long ball, in fact in the first half it was more the high ball and I nearly cricked my neck following its rise and rise, and its inevitable fall with icicles attached.

The first half was one of the worst games you will ever see. Villa's only on target shot all game was pushed aside by Almunia Arsenal were very slow out of the blocks, nonetheless Arsenal had the best chance of the first half with Fabregas's brilliant run ending with a shot that rebounded off the post. Ramsey and Rosicky couldn't make up their mind which one should hit the rebound into the gaping net, so they compromised and wasted the chance.

From an Arsenal point of view that was the only thing of importance that occurred in the first half unless you count Sol coming on. The Emirates crowd solemnly clapped his entrance, Dom made some comment about the pies.

Brenda arrives at last

The second half was much better, or the last twenty minutes to be precise, I think that coincided with Brenda's arrival, well I think that's what the bloke a few rows behind me called him. Eduardo pulled up and had to come off, Bendtner came on and immediately Arshavin seemed a liberated man. At last Arsenal took the handbrake off (Why doesn't Wenger just cut the cable?) and a few shots came very close to going in but the Villa goal led a charmed life.

It was a bit disappointing because we could and should have won the game in the last few minutes, and deserved to win in the end. Don't buy that sporting rubbish from MOTD that a draw was fair. Villa had one shot on target all night! Arsenal had five shots on target; true Villa had 7 shots off target, but to me that just confirmed how poor they are.

Missing Song

I don't see how the forwards can be criticized that much, the real problem was the poor midfield. Ramsey and Denilson were unable to get a grip, that meant Fabregas couldn't get forward that often, it's not the case  the strikers  missed a hatful of bankers.

As I already wrote we did look better with Bendtner, yes I know he didn't score, but he caused havoc in the Villa defence and improved those around him.

Sol also had a top game, unfortunately Clichy struggled, but between them the back four managed a clean sheet.

A point might not be the ideal result, but Villa beat Chelsea here, and they have the best defence jointly with Chelsea.

Two of the back 

So having welcomed back Nasri and Bendtner from injury, Eduardo and Vermaelen departed to fill their empty tables in the treatment room. It's the labour of Sisyphus, two on the front two off the back.

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