The league leaders were at their free-flowing best in the opening 45 minutes when goals from Mathieu Flamini and Emmanuel Adebayor superseded an early strike from Villa midfielder Craig Gardner.

But in the second half the Gunners had to show their fighting qualities before coming out on top with centre-backs William Gallas and Kolo Tore in outstanding form.

Wenger said: "We were brilliant and resilient. In the first half we played some absolutely amazing football. We moved the ball quickly, were accurate with our passing in short spaces and made it difficult for Villa.

"In the second half, the physical contribution from Villa and the fact some of our players dropped off a little bit, allowed them back in.

"I felt at the end of the first half we seemed as if we weren't right on top of things and that made it difficult.

"But this is a big result. Because of the belief in the Villa side after their recent good run, we needed something special.

"Maybe in the past, games like that have been our Achilles heel. But we have improved, have more experience and resilience and we panic less."

Flamini's goal could not have been better timed given the absence of leading scorer Cesc Fabregas through injury.

Wenger said: "He was always in the box looking dangerous, and in fairness in big games he has scored important goals. He did that against Liverpool and Chelsea last season."

The only downside for Arsenal was an Achilles injury to Alexander Hleb which makes him doubtful for Wednesday's game at Newcastle.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill felt his side's second-half performance deserved a share of the spoils as their four game winning run came to an end.

He said: " We gave everything. I thought there were moments in the first half when we caused them problems.

"But I do accept Arsenal got into their stride very quickly and passed the ball around very well - like they have been doing for some considerable time.

"But in the second half we had loads of possession. They were taking time out to stop the game which we can take as a back-handed compliment.

"They were taking off forwards and replacing them with holding midfield players because it was all us. We definitely deserved something from the game, no question about that."

Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov will have a scan on Monday to determine the extent of the hamstring problem which led to him being substituted during the first half.