Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 2
Richard Dunne and Darren Bent both turned from heroes to villains as they scored but gave away penalties as Aston Villa were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal.
Richard Dunne and Darren Bent both turned from heroes to villains as they scored but gave away penalties as Aston Villa were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal.
Villa went into the half-time break 2-0 up after Dunne headed home in the before Bent finished from a tight angle just before the interval.
But the claret and blues were unable to hold on after seven crazy second-half minutes as Robin van Persie scored twice from the spot either side of Theo Walcott's fortunate equaliser.
Villa were without Marc Albrighton (thigh) and James Collins (calf) after the pair picked up injuries in training on Saturday as boss Alex McLeish made three changes from the side which won 3-2 at Wolves.
Carlos Cuellar came into the centre of defence alongside Dunne while Stephen Warnock was recalled so Ciaran Clark reverted to centre of midfield. Stephen Ireland, who missed Wolves with a hamstring problem, returned to the starting line-up with Gary Gardner dropped to the bench.
Villa had the added incentive of a potential meeting with former boss Martin O'Neill in the fifth round after they were paired with Sunderland or Middlesbrough in the draw which took place before kick-off.
But it was Arsenal who had the best early chance in the sixth minute when Thomas Vermaelen crashed a thunderous free-kick from 30 yards which brought a fine diving save out of Villa keeper Shay Given.
Villa seemed content to let Arsenal play in front of them and hit on the counter attack and created their first real opening in the 22nd minute on the break when Alan Hutton's cross was met by the head of Bent but he was unable to generate any power under pressure.
The home side dominated possession but it was Villa who took the lead in the 33rd minute when Stiliyan Petrov and Robbie Keane worked a clever short-corner routine.
Keane's curling delivery from left was inch-perfect for compatriot Dunne who outmuscled two Arsenal defenders at the back post to leap highest and powerfully head Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal almost levelled shortly after when Tomas Rosicky drilled a low shot from distance which Given gathered at the second time of asking but despite the home side dominating possession it was Villa who struck again.
Stiliyan Petrov showed brilliant vision to release Ireland down the right flank as Villa hit on the counter attack and his ball sent Bent clear.
The striker's initial shot was saved by Fabianski but the arch poacher did not need a second invitation and slotted a low shot into the corner of the net from a tight angle to send the 5,200 Villa fans into raptures.
Arsenal flew out of the blocks in the second half and Ireland cleared a Per Mertesacker header off the line moments after the restart while Given comfortably gathered a Van Persie toe poke from the edge of the box.
The home side's pressure eventually paid off when Dunne scythed down Aaron Ramsey inside the penalty area and Van Persie made no mistake as he converted the resulting spot-kick which sent Given the wrong way.
And the Gunners levelled in the 57th minute when Walcott cut inside and saw his initial shot saved by Given at his near post but Hutton's left-footed clearance rebounded off the Arsenal winger and into the empty net.
Arsenal were rampant and Villa gave away their second penalty of the contest four minutes later when Bent brought down Laurent Koscielny and Van Persie did the business from the spot for a second time.
Villa slowly regained some composure and had a good chance on the break when Petrov found space on the left edge of the box but was unable to out Bent in the 70th minute on the counter attack
Substitute Gardner went close with a header from Petrov's corner but Villa were unable to find an equaliser despite a spell of late pressure.