Arsenal thump Aston Villa to retain trophy

Alexis Sanchez scored a stunning strike as Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley to lift the FA Cup for a record 12th time.

The Chilean scored a breathtaking goal in the second half from 25 yards that bamboozled Shay Given.

Theo Walcott, picked ahead of Olivier Giroud in the starting line-up, had given the Gunners the lead with an emphatic strike before half-time.

After Sanchez’s thunderbolt, Per Mertesacker made it 3-0 on the hour mark with a close-range header from a corner.

And substitute Giroud put the seal on a resounding victory by flicking the ball in at the near post in the dying minutes.

Villa, who defended well in the opening half an hour, offered little in comparison going forward and carved out few chances of note.

Their 19-year wait for a trophy continues while the final Europa League spot – awarded to the winners of the FA Cup, unless they are already in European competition – goes to Southampton, who finished seventh in the Premier League.

15' – GOOD SAVE: Great one-handed save from Given to keep out Koscielny's header from Sanchez's cross!

17’ – RAMSEY CHANCE: Ramsey finds the side netting with a sliding shot after Bellerin did well on the right, Arsenal are looking good.

20’ – RAMSEY MISS! What a chance for Ramsey! He lifts the ball over the bar from 12 yards after Vlaar fails to clear Ozil's cross.

24’ - WALCOTT EFFORT: Richardson with a great block to stop Walcott's goal-bound effort from six yards out.

40’ - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa. Walcott with a half volley that whistles past Given at his near post after Sanchez's flick on.

50’ - GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa. Sanchez with a 25-yard thunderbolt which bamboozled Given with the amount of swerve on it.

57’ – ARSENAL ONSLAUGHT: Ramsey controls the ball well but his shot inside the box is blocked by Okore. Given then parries Cazorla's low shot.

62’ - GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa. Mertesacker heads in the corner after evading Benteke from close range, easy as you like.

80’ – PENALTY APPEAL: Huge penalty shout as Agbonlahor is tackled from behind by Coquelin on the edge of the box, Villa are furious that a spot kick was not awarded.

90'+3 - GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa. Giroud tucks the ball in from close range to seal the rout.

Theo Walcott has scored seven goals in seven starts for Arsenal this season.

Alexis Sanchez is only the second Chilean to score in an FA Cup final after George Robledo for Newcastle in 1952.

This is only the 13th time that a team has scored four goals in an FA Cup final.

Will Tim Sherwood be regretting his tactics? The decision to pick Alan Hutton ahead of Leandro Bacuna backfired as the latter combines well with Christian Benteke. And Hutton did not do his defensive duties well. Another question mark is picking Charles N’Zogbia, who was anonymous, instead of Gabriel Agbonlahor. Villa have been shipping goals in the last couple of games and they couldn’t stem the tide at Wembley.

Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal): The Chilean’s work rate and passing range were too much for Villa. He controlled the midfield along with Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey and capped off his performance with a stunning strike which will give Shay Given nightmares. The perfect way to end an impressive debut season in English football.

Arsenal: Szczesny 5, Bellerin 6, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 6, Monreal 5, Coquelin 6, Cazorla 8, Ramsey 6, Ozil 5, Alexis 9, Walcott 8. Subs: Giroud 5, Wilshere 5, Oxlade-Chamberlain 6.

Aston Villa: Given 6, Hutton 6, Vlaar 5, Okore 5, Richardson 6, Westwood 5, Delph 5, Cleverley 4, Grealish 4, N'Zogbia 4, Benteke 5. Subs: Sanchez 5, Bacuna 5, Agbonlahor 6.