Time for heroes.

When Villa and Arsenal last met, the pre-game talk centred around which of the two clubs was more likely to make the Champions League spots come the end of the season.

As it transpired, the two sides were seperated primarily by the supreme skill of Cesc Fabregas, and further by a naive Villa side who chased a game when going a goal down.

Since then, Arsenal have raced clear of the midlands club and after last weeks game against Bolton, they sat at the top of the league.

Villa on the other hand have stagnated. Defeat to Arsenal was confounded by a heart breaking injury time defeat to Fernando Torres (playing for Liverpool at the time) and the home league 0-0 against West Ham which followed suggested the wheels may have come off for Villa.

The defeat to Arsenal and Liverpool cemented the difference between the pretenders from the Midlands and the two established top four clubs. That being simply Fabregas and Torres.

Both are world class players, amongst the top ten players in the world. Villa can match both sides all over the pitch, but as of yet none of the current side have proved themselves capable of controlling a game against the big four clubs.

Villa's three victories over the established order this season have come by virtue of resolute team performances rather than at the hands of a world class player.

Martin O'Neill has developed a flair for hyperbole when it comes to describing his young guns. Ashley Young was labelled 'world-class' and James Milner has been constantly referred to as 'magnificent' this season.

But is either capable of doing what Fabregas or Torres did to Villa?

The concensus suggests not. Milner has failed to impact any game so far this season against the top sides. No goals and no assists. Whilst a recent shift to the centre of midfield has reaped dividends against the lower sides, he is yet to be tested against a Fabregas or Lampard.

Young on the other hand, created the winner against United and showed great poise to slot the winning penalty away at Anfield. But yet, questions remain about whether he is clinical enough to influence the games against the top four.

For me, the difference in this game may lie with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Twice last season against Gallas he caused him problems, scoring a goal by out pacing him, and winning a penalty from the same situation. Ironically, Agbonlahor is often maligned at Villa Park for his lack of work ethic, and yet he has done the most to prove he is capable of providing a touch of quality against the big teams.

Arsenal on the other hand will be hoping the defeat at Stoke does not knock what has been a good recent run. Win tonight, and they will have pulled fifteen points ahead of Villa since they last met and could go back to the top of the league.

Despite that good run, Arsenal have shown a vulnerability in recent weeks. Against Bolton, they found themselves 2-1 down when a controversial equaliser got them back in the game.

Arsene Wenger is as prone to self-preservation as any manager. Much like O'Neill's ego boosting hyperbole, Wenger does his upmost to protect and inspire his players. But he went to far last week.

Gallas' clear foul on Mark Davies, which resulted in the player leaving on crutches, was brushed aside by Wenger. His defiant claims he would 'show you all the fouls we had over the last two games' don't mean that Gallas' foul is acceptable. What Wenger said basically implies that he has no problem with dirty play as long as its in favour of his side.

Clearly Bolton are a physical side, but that does not make Gallas' horror show right. Wenger should know as well as anyone the effects of a mistimed lunge, I'm sure he didn't take the same stance when Martin Taylor's mistimed tackle broke Eduardo's ankle.

That aside, tonight promises to be a good game and a test for Arsenal. Villa have lost twice at home all season and are tough to break down but injuries could conspire against them tonight.

Carew and Warnock are definitely out, with Richard Dunne and Stilian Petrov potentially joining them on the sidelines. Those potential absentees make it even more important for Villa that someone produces a Fabregas-esque moment if they are to get the win.

All the talk has been about James Milner in recent weeks. Lets see if their is a world class player in the Villa ranks.