Henry returns to inspire Arsenal

Arsenal 4 Charlton 0:Arsenal got their new year off and running with a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-man Charlton at the Emirates Stadium.

Thierry Henry - returning from an injury lay-off - put the Gunners ahead with a 29th-minute penalty after full-back Osei Sankofa was red-carded for a professional foul.

Full-back Justin Hoyte got his first Arsenal goal in first-half stoppage time before Robin van Persie wrapped things up from another penalty after 74 minutes and a delicate chip in the closing moments to inflict a first defeat on new Addicks boss Alan Pardew.

With 16 minutes left, Arsenal were awarded another spot-kick when Souleymane Diawara tugged Henry's shirt as he fell in the area.

Van Persie was given the responsibility and blasted the penalty past Carson.

The Gunners further hammered home their advantage when van Persie chipped in a fourth during the final minute.

Villa hold Chelsea

Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0:Aston Villa put another dent in Chelsea's hopes of completing a Premiership title hat-trick by deservedly holding Jose Mourinho's side to a goalless draw at Villa Park.

Chelsea failed to take advantage of Manchester United's slip-up at Newcastle yesterday and are six points adrift of Alex Ferguson's side after the completion of the festive programme.

The Blues managed to stem the flow of goals conceded - eight in the previous four league matches - but drew a blank after 20-goal Didier Drogba spurned their best chance in the opening minute.

Chelsea were becoming frustrated at their inability to break down Villa and Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho were booked in quick succession.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill signalled his intentions to go for victory by bringing off Steven Davis and replacing him with Milan Baros. And Liam Ridgewell came close to snatching a winner when his back-header from Wilfred Bouma's corner flew only inches wide of the far post.

Stiliyan Petrov had a powerful drive deflected wide but in the last minute Frank Lampard fired over from close range while Drogba's header was too high.