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Vital Football Legend
Shay Given
The 39-year-old produced a breathtaking save in the 15th minute from Laurent Koscienly, evoking memories of David Seaman and Paul Peschisolido. Could do little about any of the goals.
Alan Hutton
Rested for last weekend’s defeat at Burnley to ensure he was fit for Wembley, this was a difficult afternoon for the Scotland international. After a first-half booking on Alexis Sanchez he was walking the tightrope for more than an hour.
Ron Vlaar
The Holland international tried valiantly to inspire the rest of his defence but was exposed too often by the pace of Theo Walcott. Could be his final game for the club with his contract expiring next month.
Jores Okore
Another player returning after a period out of the team, Okore had a hesitant start and took time to settle down. Frequently caught out in possession and appeared overawed by the occasion.
Kieran Richardson
Playing as a left-back under Tim Sherwood, Richardson brilliantly blocked an early effort from Theo Walcott but perhaps could have done better to prevent Alexis Sanchez’s header that set up the opening goal
Ashley Westwood
Arguably one of the most under-rated midfielders in the Premier League but this was a lesson for Westwood, with Arsenal’s passing far more superior and incisive. Booked.
Fabian Delph
By far the best performer in Villa midfield and admirably attempted to keep driving on his team despite vast periods under pressure. Booked for a first-half challenge on Mesut Ozil.
Tom Cleverley
The on-loan Manchester United midfielder struggled to subdue Santi Cazorla and was guilty of some wayward touches. Booked for a poor challenge on Nacho Monreal early in the first half which made it difficult.
Jack Grealish
Nearly six weeks after Grealish forced himself into the national conscience with a stunning performance in the semi-final, this was a chastening afternoon. Little service but also little threat.
Charles N’Zogbia
Perhaps a surprise that he kept his place despite the return of Gabriel Agbonlahor and too often found himself surrounded by Arsenal players and hurried out of possession.
Christian Benteke
The man with the £32.5m buyouy clause went into this game with 12 goals in his last 12 games but was virtually anonymous. Guilty for the third goal too.
Substitutes: Gabriel Agbonlahor (52 for N’Zogbia), Leandro Bacuna (68 for Richardson), Carlos Sanchez (71 for Westwood). Agbonlahor was surprisingly left out of the starting XI and the game was beyond Villa when he was introduced. Bacuna and Sanchez were brought on for what looked like damage limitation. Agbonlahor was booked for dissent.
Subs not used: Brad Guzan, Scott Sinclair, Joe Cole, Nathan Baker
The 39-year-old produced a breathtaking save in the 15th minute from Laurent Koscienly, evoking memories of David Seaman and Paul Peschisolido. Could do little about any of the goals.
Rested for last weekend’s defeat at Burnley to ensure he was fit for Wembley, this was a difficult afternoon for the Scotland international. After a first-half booking on Alexis Sanchez he was walking the tightrope for more than an hour.
The Holland international tried valiantly to inspire the rest of his defence but was exposed too often by the pace of Theo Walcott. Could be his final game for the club with his contract expiring next month.
Another player returning after a period out of the team, Okore had a hesitant start and took time to settle down. Frequently caught out in possession and appeared overawed by the occasion.
Playing as a left-back under Tim Sherwood, Richardson brilliantly blocked an early effort from Theo Walcott but perhaps could have done better to prevent Alexis Sanchez’s header that set up the opening goal
Arguably one of the most under-rated midfielders in the Premier League but this was a lesson for Westwood, with Arsenal’s passing far more superior and incisive. Booked.
By far the best performer in Villa midfield and admirably attempted to keep driving on his team despite vast periods under pressure. Booked for a first-half challenge on Mesut Ozil.
The on-loan Manchester United midfielder struggled to subdue Santi Cazorla and was guilty of some wayward touches. Booked for a poor challenge on Nacho Monreal early in the first half which made it difficult.
Nearly six weeks after Grealish forced himself into the national conscience with a stunning performance in the semi-final, this was a chastening afternoon. Little service but also little threat.
Perhaps a surprise that he kept his place despite the return of Gabriel Agbonlahor and too often found himself surrounded by Arsenal players and hurried out of possession.
The man with the £32.5m buyouy clause went into this game with 12 goals in his last 12 games but was virtually anonymous. Guilty for the third goal too.
Substitutes: Gabriel Agbonlahor (52 for N’Zogbia), Leandro Bacuna (68 for Richardson), Carlos Sanchez (71 for Westwood). Agbonlahor was surprisingly left out of the starting XI and the game was beyond Villa when he was introduced. Bacuna and Sanchez were brought on for what looked like damage limitation. Agbonlahor was booked for dissent.
Subs not used: Brad Guzan, Scott Sinclair, Joe Cole, Nathan Baker
