Knight rescues late Villa point

Martin O'Neill's side had battered the Londoners throughout the first half but somehow found themselves two goals down only to mount a superb fightback.

Goals either side of half-time by Denilson and Abou Diaby for Arsenal were not a fair reflection of the game and, after Gareth Barry's penalty pulled a goal back, Knight smashed home a stoppage-time leveller to maintain Villa's three-point lead over the Gunners.

Villa began the day third in the table, three points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal, but were overtaken by Manchester United after their win at Stoke earlier in the day.

Luke Young was denied from distance by a spectacular save by stand-in captain Manuel Almunia and Steve Sidwell should have done better with a shot.

Almunia made another stop from James Milner while Sidwell and Curtis Davies hit the woodwork as Villa's frustrations grew.

And Arsenal hit them with a sucker punch in the 39th minute when Denilson took advantage of a lucky bounce to fire home.

Somehow it was 2-0 barely three minutes into the second half as Diaby netted.

Villa got a lifeline when referee Lee Mason awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge from William Gallas on Gabby Agbonlahor and Barry converted.

On the touchline, meanwhile, O'Neill and Wenger exchanged angry words and were spoken to by Mason but stand-in defender Knight had the last laugh.