Arsenal sneaked ahead of Manchester United at the top of the premier league on Wednesday with a 2-0 defeat of Aston Villa while the champions scored just once in a win over bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

United and Arsenal are the only sides to have won their first three games of the season. The London side lead the table by scoring more goals -- eight to United's seven.

Arsenal dominated the early stages at Highbury, but Villa held on until 12 minutes into the second half when England centre back Sol Campbell headed home following a corner. France striker Thierry Henry scored a second in injury time.

United, fielding a new-look midfield including Brazilian debutant Kleberson and Cristiano Ronaldo, took a 10th-minute lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to a header from a corner by defender John O'Shea -- his first goal for the club.

But struggling Wolves stuck to their task and had several good chances to equalise through Senegal striker Henri Camara as United failed to impose their class on the match.

"We knew it wasn't going to be a cricket score as some people thought before the game but, after the early goal, we switched off," O'Shea told reporters.

Liverpool's disappointing start to the season continued with a 0-0 draw at home against Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool have two points from three games and have scored just one goal, a twice-taken penalty by England striker Michael Owen.

Arsenal started brightly but their attacking flair was doused down by the visiting side who packed the midfield.

Henry and France midfielder Robert Pires had several chances to put the 2002 champions ahead, none better than Henry's in the 15th minute when he lobbed Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, but the ball went just wide.

Sweden's Fredrik Ljungberg then hit the bar with a chipped shot but a goal would not come. Arsenal's frustration bubbled over at the break when Pires was involved in a fierce argument with Villa defender Olof Mellberg which continued in the tunnel.

VILLA MISTAKE

Twelve minutes into the second half Campbell, sent off in Arsenal's opening game against Everton, made the most of a mistake in the Villa defence at a corner and headed home from close range.

Villa were always in the game until Henry, put through after good work by substitute Dennis Bergkamp, slid home an injury-time goal from a tight angle.

United, who had scored six goals in two games, against Wolves, who had let in nine, appeared to have an easy game on their hands and dominated the first 15 minutes.

But United, with Roy Keane playing at centre back alongside O'Shea for the first time, failed to build on their lead in a scrappy first-half performance.

Indeed Wolves, with former United favourites Paul Ince and Denis Irwin in their ranks, should have scored near the break when Camara, signed from Sedan earlier this month, had two good chances.

He hit the better chance past United keeper Tim Howard -- but also just past the right post -- when free in front of goal.

Wolves, thanks to a well-marshalled defence, matched United after the break and Camara had two more good chances, hitting an overhead kick just over the bar.

"We were unlucky we didn't win on chances alone - the lads are gutted they lost the game today," Ince said. "The more the game went on the more we fancied our chances."

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