Sidwell, a former Arsenal trainee, featured in the 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium where Villa lived up to their billing as challengers to the traditional heavyweights of the top flight.

After being at Chelsea last season, Sidwell has highlighted the importance of consistency in maintaining a title challenge - something Arsene Wenger's side have struggled for in recent seasons.

They defeated Manchester United the previous week but followed it up with a performance that Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia described as "embarrassing".

Sidwell said: "That's my personal opinion - that you can get points at Arsenal.

"I don't know whether they maybe don't take their chances as well as Manchester United and Chelsea - those two are maybe more clinical in putting their chances away.

"I thought we deserved the points. Our tactics worked and we need to pick up on this, we need to get more consistency ourselves."

The victory took Villa level on points with Arsenal, and they appear to be the most likely contenders to gatecrash the top four.

"We're all young and hungry to do well," Sidwell said. "You never know. This league is so tight. It's about being consistent.

"When I was at Chelsea last year that was the one thing I learnt - you need to be consistent."

Gareth Barry added: "There is a belief there. You can't judge it on one performance but you certainly gain confidence.

"We're beating teams like that, especially on the road, the gap is getting a bit closer."

Barry, Villa's normal penalty taker, was receiving treatment when Ashley Young had a 20th-minute spot-kick saved by Almunia - but Villa continued to attack and got their reward when Gael Clichy headed into his own goal under pressure from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor added the second himself when he held off William Gallas and fired in at the near post.

Almunia said: "I think each player has to analyse his performance because the game was the worst Arsenal game for a long, long, long time.

"We are very disappointed because after the penalty I thought the team was going to be more excited, going all out to win the game but the penalty save didn't change anything. That's embarrassing for us.

"We have to continue, first of all out of respect for the fans. Everything is possible and we have to continue to do our jobs but must change many things from today."

Wenger's miserable afternoon was compounded by an ankle injury to Bacary Sagna that will rule the full-back out for a few weeks, while Cesc Fabregas picked up a booking for injuring Barry and will miss the trip to Manchester City on Saturday.

The Arsenal boss is also frustrated at not being able to work with his players this week due to the international calendar.

"I don't see what you gain from this friendly because for four months there is no game," he said.

"You can explain a friendly to prepare for an official game but after this there is no international game for four months."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill agreed with Sidwell that consistency is what is needed to break into the top four.

"I think it's very difficult," he said.

"You'd see the performance against Arsenal and you'd say: 'well, why not?' Then again, you might see us scrummaging around for 10 or 15 minutes against Middlesbrough and you think: 'well, what are you talking about?'

"There's been a lot of hype about it. I'd just prefer to let us see where we can gather."