Matt Targett goes in for a challenge which is dangerously close to the penalty area, he thinks he's won the ball but a foul is given. Thankfully for him and for the Villa it's just outside the box.

Still danger here though.

Marvelous Nakamba scuttling about in midfield as Villa try and protect this precious lead but he gives away a free-kick. Villa clear and Jack Grealish carries it downfield. Grealish has got better and better as the game has wore on.

We are into the last 10 minutes as John McGinn scuffs a volley wide.

Villa were last out of the bottom three on 28 February - 144 days ago.

The game has really come to life now, Jack Grealish is starting to take control and how Villa need it from him. He jags in from the left again and picks out John McGinn in the D. The former Hibs man hits it well but Emi Martinez is always behind it and can beat it clear.

And straight away Arsenal so nearly equalise! Eddie Nketiah wins the header from a corner, nods it against the post, it spins up and nearly over the line but Pepe Reina is able to gather.

Fine margins! Reina kisses the ball. That was a stroke of luck.

Chance! A huge chance and it's Keinan Davis with it. He could have put his name in the books, he's never scored a Premier League goal - and he still hasn't.

Superb from Jack Grealish though, to skip out of trouble on the left and then roll in Davis with a superb pass. Davis is beyond Rob Holding and in, he's got plenty of goal to aim at but scuffs a left-footer wide of the target...

Villa were defending like this against Everton and conceded the most unlikely of goals - a Theo Walcott header. What's the equivalent tonight. Rob Holding 30-yarder?

Twenty minutes for Villa to maintain this lead then, or of course add to it. Arsenal must be able to fashion a chance or two at least surely. Kieran Tierney is away on the left but Fred Guilbert makes a great challenge.

Villa send on Keinan Davis and Marvelous Nakamba.

DRINKS. Dean Smith with a chance to tell his players to keep it up and we might stay up. No pressure.

We've seen hardly a peep from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but he only needs an inch to take a mile and he skips into space on the left of the area. He could probably get a shot away but tries to do the right thing and put it across goal - it's behind Eddie Nketiah though and cleared.

David was the most polite of the many fans who pointed out that fact. West Ham are indeed safe as houses thanks to their goal difference. Apologies to all.

KEEEPEERRSS!! Good call from Emi Martinez as Jack Grealish puts in a dangerous cross/shot from the left, Rob Holding gets out of the way of it and the keeper pouches it.

Nicolas Pepe and Kieran Tierney are coming on for the Arsenal, with David Luiz and Bukayo Saka coming off. Change of shape?

Both sets of coaching staff hollering encouragement as we reach the last third of the game. Villa can almost see the giddy heights of 17th if they see this out but they are getting very deep. Could be a nervy finale. Arsenal have been poor tonight but they've got plenty of quality out there.

Big block from Ezri Konsa, twisting his body to shut out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's shot. He can only have been about eight yards out.

Chance! Cedric Soares with a nice early ball into the mixer, it takes a flick and comes to Bukayo Saka, knee high, tough one to hit and he puts it over. Mikel Arteta likes that though, full of energy on the sidelines.

Nice feet from Dani Ceballos, gliding into the area and collecting a one-two, good play, but Villa mop up well.

Corner. Corner. Corner for Villa at the start of the second half. Arsenal repel them all.

Villa win an early corner which David Luiz heads away well. The home side in no rush to get on with the game and an Arsenal player rushes over to pointedly hand them the ball. Will be a long second half playing like that!

Under way!