Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to score a brace as Arsenal dealt a blow to Villa’s top-four dreams at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners skipper took just eight minutes to make an impact, curling home a stunning free-kick after 65 minutes before doubling the advantage nine minutes from the end after converting Theo Walcott’s pass.

The Spaniard soon departed again after appearing to injure himself in the process but by then there was no stopping Arsene Wenger’s men, who netted a third late on when Abou Diaby dribbled to edge of the area and curled past goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Villa, who remain fourth, could have few complaints with the result and have little time to lick their wounds with Liverpool lying in wait on Tuesday.

Boss Martin O’Neill will be forced into at least one change, with Ashley Young suspended for the clash after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season.

But the manager will have to decide whether to freshen up his tired-looking team further, after a disappointing second-half display in the capital.

Arsenal threatened early on when first Diaby then Eduardo rolled Stephen Warnock and Carlos Cuellar, but the Croatia international’s finish was straight at Friedel.

Villa’s best chance came on 13 minutes, when Ashley Young’s curling effort took a wicked deflection and looped agonisingly past the post.

After a relatively even first half Wenger’s boys began to turn up the heat after the break, with Friedel making a fine save at point-blank range from William Gallas before the ball was eventually hooked away.

On 61 minutes, the keeper made another brilliant save to deny Andrey Arshavin but there was nothing he could do about Fabregas’ free-kick soon afterwards, following a foul by Richard Dunne.

The game opened up as Villa went in search of an equaliser and they paid the price with a classic counter-attacking goal when Walcott raced clear down the left and he laid on Fabregas.

A miserable afternoon was completed at the death, when Diaby strolled through and fired inside the right post.