Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill paid tribute to his players after a "magnificent" second half in which they ran Arsenal close but could not find an equaliser.

Craig Gardner had given Villa hope of their first win over the Londoners in 18 meetings when he put them ahead with his third goal of the campaign, but after Mathieu Flamini equalised nine minutes later and Emmanual Adebayor put Arsenal in front before half-time, the visitors weathered the second-half onslaught to maintain their unbeaten record this season.

O'Neill, whose side had won four consecutive league matches prior to this game, would not fault his players.

"We totally dominated the second half and we deserved to get something from the match," he said. "They are a fine side but we showed great character in the second half.

"We had the dominance and I don't think they have been put under that sort of pressure for some time. It was a magnificent second half, relentless, and Arsenal were the ones kicking it clear and making changes to accommodate us - it shows you something was happening on our side and I thought we were really unlucky."

Villa were a vastly-improved side after the interval and O'Neill's half-time team talk may well have been instrumental.

"The players had to have that belief - which sounds crazy when you think we have won the last four games," he added. "When you want to be competing at the top you have to be there every single minute of every single day and the players have to have that belief that they can do it.

"There was a period in the first half when they got the equaliser and when we lost that bit of self-belief. But I always felt we were in with a chance of going on to win it and I have the utmost regard for the players because we should have got something from that game."

With Manchester United playing today, Arsenal extended their advantage at the top to five points. Arsene Wenger, the visiting manager, accepted his players had had to work hard for the result.

"The first half was an amazing, classy display," he said. "In the second half we were resilient and showed a different aspect of our game - commitment. Overall it was a big test for us. We were tested at 1-0 down against a team full of confidence and so to come out with three points I think my team deserves credit."

Villa's opener came after 14 minutes. Carew surged down the left before cutting into the Arsenal box and his cross deflected off two defenders before breaking to Gardner whose left-footed half volley was drilled past Almunia into the corner of the net.

From that minute, however, Arsenal stepped up a gear and they caused constant problems with their one-touch play, which often had Villa chasing shadows.

Lassana Diarra and Alexander Hleb sparkled in midfield while Emmanuel Eboue was an effective outlet on the right flank.

Martin Laursen got in the way of drives from Hleb and Adebayor before the momentum of Arsenal's free-flowing attacks paid off. In the 23rd minute Flamini's second goal of the campaign returned parity to proceedings.

Adebayor's flick played in Eboue, whose low cross took a deflection off Hleb to tee it up perfectly for Flamini who struck well past Carson.

Laursen's knack for being in the right place at the right time again proved crucial in blocking another effort from Flamini before Villa were forced to substitute Stilian Petrov after 30 minutes. The former Celtic player, who had been doubtful before the game due to an ankle injury, was replaced by another in Shaun Maloney.

Arsenal were still the dominant force and it was no surprise when Adebayor put them in front on 36 minutes with his eighth goal of the season. Bacary Sagna drilled an inviting cross into the box and Adebayor's header flew past Carson.

Villa made a positive start to the second half and Laursen could have brought them level but he poked the ball wide from close range after good control by Carew had set up the opening.

Carew could have no complaints about being yellow-carded for a late challenge on Hleb which led to the midfielder being injured and replaced by Theo Walcott.

Young was now more of a threat and another inviting cross led to a Carew header thumping against the Arsenal bar with Almunia well beaten.

Despite their pressure, though, that was the nearest Villa came to finding a way through the Arsenal rearguard.