Fabregas inspires Gunners

Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to inspire Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium to drag themselves back into the Barclays Premier League title race.

The Spaniard, who had been out with a hamstring problem, netted a superb free-kick on 65 minutes and then a fine breakaway goal before being substituted as a precaution, with Abou Diaby scoring a third in stoppage-time.

Villa - who had already beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool this season - looked dangerous on the break but could not make the most of their pressure midway through the second half.

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