Arsene Wenger challenges Premier League rivals for top four finish after Aston Villa win

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Arsene Wenger has issued a warning to their Premier League rivals that Arsenal have found a 'better consistency' which can help them finish this term in the top four.

The Gunners secured a comfortable 5-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates, while Southampton lost 1-0 to Swansea City at home on Sunday. In addition to this, Manchester United sealed a 3-1 win against Leicester City in the last league game.

The latest results have seen the Saints drop to fourth in the table with 42 points from 23 games, level on points with fifth place Arsenal as Southampton's better goal difference has seen them sit above the north London club.

United are third with one point ahead of Southampton and Arsenal. Meanwhile Tottenham and Liverpool are just two and four points respectively behind the fourth placed team. Wenger believes there will be a "big battle" among several clubs for the Champions League spot.

"We're 11 points behind [league leaders] Chelsea. We want to get as close to them as possible, but at the moment they're too far for us [to catch them]," Wenger explained.

"We're not looking behind, what is important is to look in front. It's a big battle to be in the top four. Everyone has quality and we need to be consistent to be in there."

"We have maybe found a better consistency, that will be very important until the end. Let's show that we can win more and it shows you as well that when the confidence level is higher and when everybody's back defensively, it makes a difference," he added.

Meanwhile, the Gunners manager also expressed his delight after his side's overall performance against Villa at home. Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott were two of the five players who were on the score sheet on Sunday.

"Our offensive game was good, even though I believe we had some weaker periods in the game when Aston Villa were in possession," the Arsenal manager said,

"We always looked dangerous when we got their lines and defensively we were sound as well. Overall it is a positive day for us," Wenger concluded.