Thierry Henry lifted Arsenal back to the top of the Premiership as his 18th and 19th goals of the season gave the Gunners a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Henry opened the scoring with a controversial free-kick after half-an-hour, and then added the decisive second from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Victory enabled the Gunners to move two points clear of Manchester United after the champions' shock defeat at Wolves, and maintained their unbeaten league record.

Henry and Robert Pires caused all sorts of problems for the Villa back four with their pace and link-up play on the break.

Villa had plenty of possession and demonstrated the work ethic that has been demanded of them by David O'Leary throughout the 90 minutes.

But, apart from surviving a couple of early opportunities, the Gunners coped relatively comfortably with all their efforts, and there was a lack of creativity from the home side.

Chelsea are now six points off the leaders after being held to a 0-0 draw by gritty Birmingham.

Missing a clutch of first-teamers through injury and suspension, the Midlanders never let their rich opponents settle at Stamford Bridge.

Joe Cole came closest to breaking the deadlock for the home side with a curling shot against the post in the first half.

But the visitors' Robbie Savage could have taken away all three points if he had not fired wide from 10 yards when Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini spilled Clinton Morrison's cross under pressure.

In a late siege on their goal, Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor blocked Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's effort and Eidur Gudjohnsen and Adrian Mutu shot wide but they held on for a hard-earned point.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Experts: Taipei closer to triggering crisis ( 2004-01-18) +At least 23 dead in Baghdad bombing ( 2004-01-19) +BMW drives wedge between rich and poor ( 2004-01-18) +SARS, bird flu watch stepped up ( 2004-01-18) +Bank cards get nod for HK use ( 2004-01-18)		+Henry sends Arsenal back to top ( 2004-01-19) +Inter on a rocchi road ( 2004-01-19) +Milan keep up the pressure ( 2004-01-19) +Soccer-Serie A: Struggling Lazio held by lowly Modena ( 2004-01-18) +Yao and Rockets bring Timberwolves back to earth ( 2004-01-18)