Heading into tonight's encounter, Aston Villa had not recorded a home victory over Arsenal since 1998.
While Paul Lambert's struggling team were unable to end that sequence, they did manage to claim a point against their visitors from North London.
Below is our minute-by-minute updates of how the encounter unfolded at Villa Park.
Afternoon all. It's a big game this one. Both teams need the three points for very different reasons. One thing is for certain, with the way that they have defended at times this season, there should be goals!
There's no team news to come out of Villa Park just yet. As soon as we have it, we'll bring it to you.
As mentioned in the introduction, Villa Park has been an enjoyable place for Arsenal to visit in recent years. They are unbeaten since 1998, winning on seven occasions since then. When you consider some of the players/teams Villa have had in recent seasons, that's an impressive statistic.
Right, the teams news is in...
Aston Villa X1: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Stevens; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Bannan, Weimann; Agbonlahor, Benteke
There's no real surprises in that Villa lineup. Paul Lambert has kept his faith in Christian Benteke rather than recalling England frontman Darren Bent. He will be partnered by Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Arsenal X1: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Giroud
Well, where Villa will start as expected, there are a couple of surprise alterations from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. There is no Jack Wilshere, with Aaron Ramsey selected ahead of the England man in the midfield. Thomas Vermaelen has also been left out as Kieran Gibbs is recalled at left-back.
Wilshere not starting is a strange one. I'm assuming that after spending so long on the sidelines with a serious injury, Wenger is keen to manager his midfielder's recovery. He doesn't want him doing too much. That's understandable, but Ramsey tends to slow Arsenal at times.
Let's just turn our attention briefly to the other matches in the Premier League as the majority of 3pm kickoffs come to an end...
A late headed goal from Sebastien Bassong rescued a 1-1 draw for Norwich City from their trip to Everton, while Manchester United came back from a one-goal deficit to win 3-1 against Queens Park Rangers.
Elsewhere, Jordi Gomez netted three times for Wigan Athletic, who defeated Reading by the odd goal in five at the DW Stadium.
There was also a 1-0 victory for Stoke City over Fulham. You can catch up with all the results from the Premier League, Championship and around Europe with our match reports here.
Today's results mean that a win for Arsenal at Villa will see them leapfrog Everton into fifth. Meanwhile, a Villa victory would mean that they exit the relegation zone and go into 17th spot. For a look at the Premier League table, click here.
It's not escaped me that everything that's been posted prior to this has been negative towards Villa! But before there is any bias accusations, there isn't a lot to be positive about at the moment! Lambert's side have won just once in their last eight games.
Right, just over 10 minutes to go until we get underway...
I've finally found a positive (sort of) for Villa fans! If matches ended at half-time, you'd be fifth in the table!
Here come the players to a big reception from the Villa Park faithful. They're in fine voice at the moment.
Arsenal get us off and running...
It's been all Arsenal so far, although they are yet to have a shot. They've come close though as a dangerous cross from Olivier Giroud is just cleared by Ron Vlaar facing his own goal.
Credit to Villa, who have come into the encounter. Gabriel Agbonlahor in particular is causing problems for Arsenal with his pace.
It's all gone very scrappy at Villa Park. Both teams are knocking the ball around nicely to a point, but then a wayward pass sees the move break down.
SAVE! First piece of work for Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to do as he palms clear a cross from Andreas Weimann that ended up being a shot.
CHANCE! Another attempt at goal from Villa. This time it's Benteke, who sends a free header wide of the target from 10 yards out.
CHANCE! Now it's Arsenal's turn to go forward, but unfortunately for them Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drags his shot from a narrow angle into the side netting. Sums up the game so far.
This match is in desperate need of a goal to liven it up. Fair play to Villa, they're working extremely hard to stop Arsenal from playing. It's not making for a good spectacle though!
SAVE! First major opportunity for Arsenal. Ramsey shows some good footwork in the box to create the room for a shot, which Brad Guzan saves with his feet.
Arsenal look to be growing more and more frustrated by Villa's tenacity and defending. Every time an Arsenal player gains possession, an opponent is there snapping at their feet.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Weimann thinks that he has stuck Villa in the lead but his celebrations are halted by an offside flag. Replays show that is was the right decision, despite the jeers from the home fans.
Villa are now beginning to get into this encounter in an attacking sense. They're beginning to press Arsenal back at times.
CHANCE! Best opportunity of the match falls to Laurent Koscielny, who for some reason was six yards from goal! The Arsenal centre-back got his feet muddled up though and sent his effort over the bar.
We're going to have one minute of stoppage time...
HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
Well the less said about that half the better I think! I suppose Villa should be credited for the how hard they've work, but both sides have been lacking in quality. Let's hope for better in the second half. Stick with us!
Villa get the second half off and running...
CHANCE! Positive start to the half from Arsenal, who have now got Santi Cazorla involved. The little Spaniard weaves his way to the edge of the area before firing just over.
SUBSTITUTION: Villa skipper Vlaar obviously has an injury and as a result he is replaced by Eric Lichaj.
Arsenal could really do with getting Wilshere on the pitch. Cazorla has been quiet today and the Gunners are lacking that creative spark from the midfield. Surely it won't be long until he's introduced.
A succession of corners for Villa come to nothing. Still, at least they are putting pressure on Arsenal.
SUBSTITUTION: Another switch for Villa as Brett Holman takes the place of El Ahmadi.
SAVE! Agbonlahor got himself free to the left of the area but ended up drilling his low shot straight at Szczesny, who collected at the second attempt. Anywhere but near and Agbonlahor would probably have been celebrating.
SUBSTITUTION: Change for Arsenal but it's not Wilshere coming on. Instead Gervinho enters the action in place of Lukas Podolski.
CHANCE! There didn't look to be much danger as Ramsey picked up possession 25 yards from goal. However, the Arsenal midfielder, who was stretching at the time, skidded an effort inches wide of the post. So close.
SUBSTITUTION: Another swap for Arsenal and again it's not Wilshere. Andrey Arshavin comes on in place of Oxlade-Chamberlain.
OFF THE BAR! What a stop from Szczesny, who somehow got fingertips to Holman's stinging shot to lift the ball onto the crossbar. Agonisingly close for Villa.
Very little happening at the moment. Arsenal are in control in terms of possession but they are not really creating any chances.
SUBSTITUTION: Final sub of the day for Arsenal as Giroud is taken off and Coquelin comes on.
SUBSTITUTION: It's Villa's turn to make a switch as Weimman is replaced by winger Marc Albrighton.
We will have three minutes of stoppage time...
It's all Arsenal at the moment. Can Villa hold on?
FULL TIME: Villa 0-0 Arsenal
Well let's just draw a line under this one and move on shall we?! It wasn't the best of games if truth be told. Lambert is bound to be the happier of the two managers and on reflection it is a good point for his Villa side.
That's all we have time from Villa Park. Thanks for joining us tonight and be sure to give our match analysis a look - it will be with you shortly.
