Darren Bents two goals in the opening 15 minutes punished a slow to start Arsenal handing the Gunners a 2-1 loss and their third defeat in four games.
Darren Bent shocked a flat footed Arsenal when he was able to latch onto Kyle Walker's chip through ball bringing the ball under control with his chest and looping an awkward volley past Szczesny to the delight of the visiting fans.
Bent doubled Villa's advantage just 3 minutes later, Ashley Young providing the through ball for the £18 million man as he slide between Squillaci and Sagna tucking the ball neatly past the helpless keeper.
Bent could have had his third just after the interval, breaking onto the lose ball after a mistake from Song, but with Vermaelen shadowing him all the way Bent's effort was scuffed and saved easily by the young keeper.
Arsenal struggled to get started, their first real chance of the opening 45 falling to Aaron Ramsey after half an hour. Walcott's chipped through ball fell perfectly to the feet of the young midfielder but Richard Dunne flung himself towards the ball, taking very little (if any) of the ball and bringing down Ramsey in the process but referee Michael Oliver let the game continue waving away protests from the men in red.
Robin van Persie struck the foot of the Villa post 10 minutes from the break after Wilshere let Dutch man through on goal before firing across Friedel, the ball clipping the post and bouncing clear.
The Gunners pressure continued for most of the second half, the introduction of Chamank at the half and Bendtner after 60 minutes giving Arsenal more support and options up front.
The chances rained down on the Villa goal as Arsenal set up camp on their 18 yard box but Friedel and co were a match to almost everything that came at them, Kieran Gibbs seeing his effort stopped from point blank by the American keeper, while Dunne and Collins threw themselves in front of efforts from Chamank Ramsey and Walcott.
Arsenal should have had one with 15 minutes to go but Michael Oliver controversially ruled that the young Morrocan had pushed Collins while going up for the header giving a free-kick to the visitors rather then the goal.
Oliver finally allowed an Arsenal name on the score sheet when Robin van Persie fired home from close range after Bendtner was dispossessed in the Villa box, but that was all the Gunners could manage on a miserable afternoon in North London.
Villa now safe can enjoy the last day of the season at home against Liverpool while Arsenal will be left wondering what happened in the last 2 months of the season.
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