Cesc Bags Brace As Arsenal Stay In Hunt

Cesc Fabregas started Sunday's game vs. Aston Villa on the Gunners' bench. Manager Arsene Wenger was keeping an eye on the fitness of the Spaniard who picked up a hamstring injury last week.

In a game that could ultimately end up defining Arsenal's season, Wenger was forced to put Fabregas into the fray just after the interval. It was the 57th minute, and Arsenal had yet to unlock Aston Villa's defense.

The 0-0 scoreline changed after Arsenal was awarded a free kick in the 65th minute. Fabregas calmly stood over the ball before bending it past the outstretched fingertips of Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Fabregas put the game away 16 minutes later when he beat Friedel on a breakaway after a nice through ball from midfielder Theo Walcott. The Spaniard limped off to a standing ovation as he was substituted for precautionary measures after the goal.

Abou Diaby added insult to injury for Aston Villa by making 3-0 in injury time. But the real story was Fabregas and how influential he is in his side's success.

In just under 30 minutes of play, Fabregas scored two goals. His creativity led to many other chances. Arsenal had a spark while he was on the pitch, something they had been missing in the first half.

The great ones step up when their teams need it most. Today Fabregas showed why he continues to be Arsenal's talisman.

The victory for the Gunners was crucial in keeping them in the hunt for the Premier League title. They now sit third in the table, four points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in-hand. Aston Villa now sit in fourth, three points behind Arsenal.

Here are the highlights from the game: