It's like watching a bad soap opera. You come back to watch it again, after the high of the cliff hanger that they left you on last week, only to be disappointed by the episode that follows.

Villa started with purpose, 11 players who knew what they needed to do and how to do it, and a belief that they could - complete contrast to the opposition, and got the first chance to score, Walcott bringing down Young for a penalty - I thought the foul was outside, but hey, Riley the impetuous was the ref… Plenty of high fives amongst the Villa players, but Alumina saved Young's kick, and Gallas cleared the rebound away. Then, Agbonlahor got down the left, crossed to Barry, whose weaker foot shot meant that it was to easy for Alumina to save.

Half time, and the hope was that we would improve. We did, but not by much.

Midway through the half, without us registering a shot on target yet, Young crossed from the left, and Clichy headed it in under pressure from Agbonlahor. Some Arsenal fans around me bemoaned the fact that Villa didn't kick the ball out as our now injury prone right back, Sagna, laid on the floor, but thems the rules - Villa did nothing wrong. The subs came. The ineffective Diaby left the filed for Adebayor, Bendtner's withdrawal was cheered by the home fans - I used to boo Groves and Caesar, but I was young and naïve, it didn't help them, and won't help Nick. Nevertheless, he was poor, showing that he can't play alone up front, yet or ever. Finally, Vela came on. He lost the ball on the edge of our area to what looked like a foul, the ball was lumped high, and Agbonlahor ran past Gallas and shot past Alumina at the near post. The cupped ear celebration was unnecessary, showing a lack of class after an outstanding performance.

We had chances after that - Adebayor hit the post, Gallas had a header saved, and the disappointing Fabregas had a shot tipped over by Friedel, normally man of the match against us, but no need for heroics today. Fab is now off next weekend after getting booked for the fifth time - how? He needs some time to try and recapture the magic, and quick. He was very poor.

The closing theme tune - booing - was diminished by the amount of empty seats at the end of the match. We'd better accept that these are our main rivals this season, not the big three, and quick, because on the evidence of this, we will not finish in the bank account saving Champions League next year. Schadenfreude - Spurs lost, and fell back into the bottom three. Let’s hope we ruin Villa’s Christmas on Boxing Day, in the return.