Former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe
BBC Radio West Midlands at Emirates Stadium

"After Aston Villa had the ball up top, the goalkeeper David Ospina collects and Arsenal work it towards Villa's goal. Theo Walcott, cutting inside he caught Alan Hutton flat-footed and just bends it into the far corner."

Image source, AFP

Arsenal at their best. They hit Villa on the counter in sublime fashion - the keeper bowling the ball out and the ball is quickly worked to Santi Cazorla who plays a neat pass into the path of Theo Walcott who is given the freedom of the pitch to set himself and curl the ball across and beyond Brad Guzan. So swift was the counter-attack, Villa centre-half Jores Okore was just crossing the halfway line when the ball rippled the net.

Peter Withe has hit the nail on the head for me. What is Villa's plan? They lack so much direction. Saying that Fabian Delph has ventured forward and dragged a low shot wide of the far post.

Former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe
BBC Radio West Midlands at Emirates Stadium

"We're into the realms of the 'what ifs? of football management and Villa will have discussed the options here. You're 2-0 down, what is the game plan now? Do you sit back or do you have a go? For me, you have to push more players forward. Fabian Delph needs to be further up the field, and Christian Benteke could do with a partner up front."

Image source, AP

Biggie: The Gym must have done wonders. Mesut Ozil is on fire.

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Roy Hodgson and Gary Neville are deep in conversation in the Emirates stands.

"No, Roy, he's German." "What about the lad who played the pass?" "French."

Former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe
BBC Radio West Midlands at Emirates Stadium

"A counter attack as fast as you like. Arsenal found the overlapping run and I actually thought Villa had recovered to cover Mesut Ozil, but his creeping shot just found the far corner."

Image source, AFP

Maybe we were all fooled. Maybe Arsenal planned this all along. They drew Aston Villa forward, then took them apart on the counter - Olivier Giroud's wonderful pass putting Mesut Ozil through on goal and the German makes no mistakes with a composed finish across the onrushing goalkeeper.

Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

Image source, PA

"Some of Carlos Sanchez's passing today has been atrocious."

All of a sudden, the momentum has shifted. Aston Villa are starting to camp in the Arsenal half, probing away in the final third. Those Arsenal fans who urged caution during that dominant first half performance might have had a point.

Sam, Nottingham: Big half for Arsenal, you feel as though they need another goal to settle the crowd.

Catherine, Bury: How I wish Robin van Persie was still playing for Arsenal. He'd have converted a few more of those chances into a comfortable lead.

Arsenal seem a little flat in the second half. They don't have the zip about their play which saw them boss the first half, and Christian Benteke spurns another chance when he rises above Laurent Koscielny but heads wide.

Image source, Getty Images

Sean: Is Aston Villa's Premier League goal drought longer than the Lord of the Rings trilogy yet?

Kavit Gada: Theo needs to start performing for his place and all his big talk of this attack being better then Bergkamp, Pires and Henry.

Emily: My brother is corporate at the Emirates. He's just informed me he's had some red wine and a cheeseboard at half-time.

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Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"This is the 12th away game Aston Villa have had this season. Their goal tally? 4. That's a lot of miles per goal for the fans."

Former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe
BBC Radio West Midlands at Emirates Stadium

"That was a great little move down the left side but Christian Benteke just couldn't wrap his foot round the cut-back to find the corner of the net. I was worried Andreas Weimann wouldn't come out for the second half, because it looked like he was struggling with his fitness in the first, but he looks OK - he played the pass in."

30 seconds into the second half and Aston Villa already look more of a threat as they work their way into the box and Christian Benteke pokes wide from 12 yards out.

Second half under way.

As I sit looking at pictures of the Emirates, it's striking how empty the middle tier of the stadium is. There is not a single soul sat in the hospitality seats as they tuck into their half-time banquet. Anybody in the posh seats today? What's on the menu?

Dave Payne: Same old Arsenal, not converting domination into a bigger lead. And they'll probably let Villa back into it.

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Half-time: Celtic 2-0 Rangers

The first period ends with Celtic in complete command of the second Scottish League Cup semi-final. Ronny Deila's side look far too strong for their old rivals and, unless Rangers boss Kenny McDowall can inspire his players to transform their performance in the second half, it will be Celtic who will play Dundee United in the final in March.

Celtic have scored from a Leigh Griffiths header and a fierce Kris Commons shot but it could have been worse for Rangers - Virgil van Dijk ought to have scored with a close-range header and Stefan Johansen was denied a goal by smart goalkeeping by Steve Simonsen. Rangers need to score the next goal or it's all over.

You can follow - and watch - the action on our Scotland live text.