Arsenal climbed to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa this afternoon, condemning the hosts to a 15th consecutive winless game.

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring from the spot after only eight minutes to set the Gunners on the way, and Aaron Ramsey wrapped things up before half time to clinch the points.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out on another miserable day for bottom-of-the-table Villa.

ASTON VILLA

Goal

Brad Guzan: Nothing he could do about either goal and was not seriously tested other than that. (6/10)

Defence

Alan Hutton: Suffered a torrid first half in which he couldn't seem to do anything right, including giving away the penalty for the opening goal. Improved in the second half and got forward really well, setting up chances for Gestede and Sinclair. (5/10)

Jores Okore: Made one or two important interceptions but looked a little nervy at times. Kept Giroud relatively quiet from open play. (6/10)

Joleon Lescott: Was not given an easy time of things by Arsenal's attack or his fellow defenders, but did his utmost to limit the visitors' chances. (6/10)

Leandro Bacuna: Came close with one effort in the second half but struggled on the whole and offered little else at either end of the field. (5/10)

Midfield

Jordan Veretout: Sent a few wild efforts off target and was not exactly pinpoint with his passing throughout either. One of many who improved in the second half, but ultimately had a fairly poor game. (5/10)

Carlos Sanchez: Gave the ball away far too often and was bypassed in the holding role on numerous occasions. His defending for the second goal was pathetic too. (4/10)

Idrissa Gueye: Struggled to deal with the likes of Ozil and Ramsey at times, but he was one of Villa's better players on the day. (6/10)

Attack

Scott Sinclair: The only player who looked to take the game to Arsenal in the first half, but faded as the match wore on. Missed Villa's best chance when he planted a header over the top. (6/10)

Rudy Gestede: Failed to make an impact, largely due to the lack of service that came his way. Only really had one sight of goal and couldn't make the most of it. (5/10)

Jordan Ayew: The game just passed him by. He showed the odd glimpse, but they were very few and far between. (5/10)

Substitutes

Carles Gil: Made a bright impact after initially coming on but faded a little as the second half wore on and Villa's resurgence waned. (6/10)

Jack Grealish: Brought back in from the cold for the final 12 minutes, by which point the game was beyond Villa's grasp. (6/10)

Adama Traore: Made a brilliant dart forward past three Arsenal players before hitting the side-netting in his only meaningful contribution during a short cameo. (6/10)

ARSENAL

Goal

Petr Cech: Was never truly tested on his way to a record-equalling 169th Premier League clean sheet. (7/10)

Defence

Hector Bellerin: Never really troubled defensively, particularly in the first half. Provided support going forward without making any major contributions. (6/10)

Per Mertesacker: A pretty comfortable afternoon's work for the German, who dealt with the aerial presence of Gestede well. (7/10)

Laurent Koscielny: Was only really tested for a 10-minute spell at the start of the second half. Otherwise had things pretty much all his own way. (7/10)

Nacho Monreal: Barely featured in the opening 45 minutes at either end of the field. Villa's best moments in the second half came down his flank, though. (6/10)

Midfield

Mathieu Flamini: Provided the base from which those in front of him could perform. Solid if unspectacular display. (6/10)

Aaron Ramsey: The man of the match. Broke up numerous Villa attacks and immediately looked to launch one of his own. Did exactly that for the second goal, winning the ball back before being there to finish off the team move too. (8/10)

Joel Campbell: Handed another start following his performance in midweek, but this was not to the same standard. Unable to make any real impact on the match. (5/10)

Mesut Ozil: Oozes class at the moment. Picked up yet another assist, his 13th of the season, and pulled many of the strings in the Arsenal midfield. (8/10)

Theo Walcott: Won the penalty for his side and played a part in the second goal too. His defensive work let him down a little in the second half, though, eventually resulting in his withdrawal. (7/10)

Attack

Olivier Giroud: Continued his good scoring form with the opener from the penalty spot and made a few more impressive contributions during the course of the game. (7/10)

Substitutes

Kieran Gibbs: Replaced Campbell shortly after the hour mark and helped to limit the marauding runs of Hutton down that side of the field. (6/10)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: On at the same time as Gibbs and made one powerful burst forward before being dispossessed by Okore. (6/10)

Calum Chambers: Replaced Ozil late on as Wenger took no chances in seeing out the victory. (6/10)