Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praised Mesut Ozil for his contribution to their 5-0 hammering of Aston Villa on Sunday.

The German scored on his first start in the Premier League for four months, and also claimed an assist for Olivier Giroud's opener.

Wenger was pleased with the £42m playmaker's performance and said that the game was important to help the club-record signing get back to full fitness.

The Frenchman told Sky Sports News: "He got back to competition and it takes you a while to get back to that sharpness and that competitive edge, but he is getting there.

"You cannot fault anyone's performance and Mesut did really well."

The result leaves the Gunners fifth in the division, level on points with Southampton, who currently occupy the final Champions League place.