Villa were unable to find a way past Arsenal as the sides drew a blank in an entertaining clash.

Stewart Downing spurned excellent opportunities for Villa in each half, while Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky both hit the woodwork for the Gunners – but neither team could find a way through.

The result, on reflection a fair one, leaves the claret and blues seventh in the Premier League, four points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.

While a point was by no means a major setback to their top four hopes, it does leave them needing a reasonable return from back-to-back away games at Fulham and Spurs to stay in the Champions League hunt.

Manager Martin O’Neill reverted to his full-strength side at Villa Park, with the only change from the side which beat Blackburn a week ago seeing Luke Young coming in for the injured Stephen Warnock.

Left-back Nicky Shorey was also a surprise inclusion on the bench, after being recalled from his loan spell at Championship club Nottingham Forest.

Both sides had early chances, with Gabby Agbonlahor forcing a save from Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia with a low drive after three minutes, while seven minutes later Villa keeper Brad Friedel, albeit unconvincingly, turned Denilson’s shot around the post.

Ashley Young then threatened on 13 for the home side with an excellent free-kick, after Emile Heskey had been fouled by Thomas Vermaelen just outside the box.

The Gunners centre-back, once linked with Villa, was forced off on 35 with an injury and was replaced by Sol Campbell, who was greeted to widespread boos from the home crowd.

Downing blew his first big chance arriving unmarked at the back post, only to balloon Ashley Young’s cross over the bar.

It was a let-off for Arsenal, but the claret and blues had one of their own when Fabregas, their tormentor in last month’s meeting, ghosted past three defenders only to fire against the left post.

The second-half of a thrilling contest was just as evenly-balanced and it was the visitors who started the stronger.

Gael Clichy’s cross from the left was spilt by Friedel right in front of Fabregas, but defender Richard Dunne reacted quickly enough to hammer it away before the Spaniard could shoot goalwards.

But quite how Villa did not take the lead five minutes after the break only Downing knows.

Left with the most straightforward of headers at the back post, the winger somehow headed Ashley Young’s deflected cross wide when it looked easier to convert.

The woodwork then came to the home side’s rescue for a second time, when Andrei Arshavin raced through from the left only to see his shot smothered by Friedel.

The rebound fell to Fabregas, who guided it across to Rosicky but his shot cannoned off the underside of the bar before being cleared to safety.

Both sides threw everything into grabbing a winner, but neither could find a way through as defence reigned over attack.