Davor Suker's decisive strikes on Saturday against Aston Villa proved that the 31-year-old Croatia ace, a £3.5 million make-weight in the deal that finally took Nicolas Anelka from Highbury to Real Madrid at the start of the season, still has plenty of venom of his own.

After Julian Joachim had neatly and surprisingly stolen the lead for outclassed Villa, Suker's instant response was vitally important to help re-establish Arsenal's Premiership credentials.

He raced onto Bergkamp's superb flick to drill past goalkeeper David James within seconds of Joachim's 44th minute opener. And four minutes after the break, nearly broke the net from Bergkamp's short, indirect free kick in the penalty area.

The rest was plain-sailing in the sun for the Gunners who fired 25 shots to Villa's three - an accurate reflection of their almost total dominance - although they had to wait for substitute Kanu to collect a third goal with a simple tap-in eight minutes from time.

Arsenal: Manninger, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Parlour, Vieira, Grimandi, Overmars (Henry 82), Bergkamp (Kanu 76), Suker (Silvinho 69). Subs Not Used: Vivas, Lukic. Booked: Winterburn, Grimandi. Goals: Suker 45, 49, Kanu 82.

Aston Villa: James (Enckelman 51), Delaney, Ehiogu, Southgate, Calderwood, Wright, Hendrie (Thompson 62), Taylor, Merson, Dublin (Vassell 71), Joachim. Subs Not Used: Boateng, Samuel. Booked: Delaney, Merson, Taylor, Ehiogu. Goals: Joachim 44.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).