Wenger's down as inconsistency hits the Gunners

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes there is 'no energy' left in his side as their inconsistent season continued with a defeat to Aston Villa.

LONDON // The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes there is 'no energy' left in his side as their inconsistent season continued with a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa. The Gunners had beaten Manchester United a week before, but were unrecognisable from that side as they fell to their fourth defeat of the season. And to make it worse they were completely outplayed by their closest rivals for what is looking more and more like a battle for fourth place.

Gael Clichy's own goal and a late strike from Gabriel Agbonlahor were enough for Martin O'Neill's men, who are now level on points with the fourth-placed Gunners - much to Wenger's frustration. "You feel there's no energy left in the side. I don't have a rational explanation [for the defeat]," said the downcast Frenchman, whose side could have lost by more after Ashley Young missed a first-half penalty for the visitors.

"We were beaten by a team who were sharper than us and it is frustrating. Top-level performers are consistent and at the moment we are not consistent enough. "Everyone is very down: this is a massive disappointment." Wenger's misery, compounded by an injury to Bacary Sagna, was in stark contrast to Villa mid- fielder - and former Arsenal youngster - Steve Sidwell, who believes Arsenal are more vulnerable than Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool

"You come to Arsenal thinking you can pick up points," said Sidwell. "You look at Chelsea and Manchester United and they don't drop many points. "When you play Arsenal, home or away, you always believe you can get a result. Do we believe we can break into the top four? We've all got belief, and we're all young and hungry to do well." [e-mail]