Arsenal got inspired by Mesut Ozil, defeats Aston Villa: Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott has praised team-mate Mesut Ozil as the German playmaker inspired Arsenal to a stunning 5-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. The Gunners' record singing Ozil, who moved to the club from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, looked back to his best against the Villans after a mixed start to his Arsenal career, which has been blighted by loss of form and injuries.

Walcott, who scored Arsenal's third against Vila, is shaking off the rust himself as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

"Mesut has worked tremendously hard to recover from injury, like myself. They always say it's not going to happen overnight but it has for him - two goals in two games. I haven't played that much with him since he joined the club, his touch, and his general play is fantastic," the England forward Walcott told Sky Sports after the match. "I'm very grateful to be able to play with him and hopefully we can both stay fit now and charge on from here. It is always nice to get goals, especially at the Emirates.

"The first half was cautious. Aston Villa came at us with a game plan and pressured us, so at the break 1-0 was just deserved. But in the second half, I can't think of a more one-sided game. At the end Ashley Westwood had a shot and I think all the Villa fans were cheering. It's a great victory.

The crowd here is buzzing. When a team is at the top of their game then everything happens for them."