Villa went on to finish the campaign sixth in the Premier League.
Aston Villa may currently be stuck in mid-table in the Championship, but as it was not that long ago that they were finishing sixth in the Premier League, perhaps Villa fans can be optimistic that, under Steve Bruce, they can begin to start dreaming of battling near the sharp end of the top flight once again at some stage in the future.
While there were many impressive results during the 2008/09 campaign which saw Martin O’Neil’s men threaten to break up the big four, the result that will perhaps stick in supporters’ minds the most came on this day eight years ago.
Martin O’Neill
Arsenal had lost just three times all season when Villa travelled to the Emirates on November 15th 2008. And as the game reached the last 20 minutes, it appeared that the contest may be heading for a goalless draw, especially after Ashley Young had had a first-half penalty saved.
However, the Villans had other ideas. Young atoned for the miss by putting a dangerous cross into the box that Gael Clichy could only head into his own net.
Agbonlahor celebrating Villa’s opener against Arsenal
And Villa would seal the three points 10 minutes from time as a long ball allowed Gabby Agbonlahor to use his pace to get the better of the Gunners’ centre-backs before smashing an effort into Manuel Almunia’s bottom corner.
With Agbonlahor now struggling to make an impact for the Villans, he may want to remind himself of that moment in the hope that it helps him rediscover the kind of form that can help the Midlands club get themselves back into the promotion picture.
Gabriel Agbonlahor (R) scores the second goal for Aston Villa
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