Arsenal marched magnificently nearer their second English League championship title in three years with a five star, five goal display against Aston Villa at Highbury last night.

Two goals each for Kevin Campbell and Alan Smith and one from Paul Davis humbled Villa.

But Arsenal had to be patient in front of an expectant 41,868 Highbury crowd and the Gunners survived early scares as Villa's lan Ormondroyd twice went close and £1 million signing Gary Penrice had a goal disallowed in the opening 35 minutes.

A minute later, however, the North Bank breathed a collective sigh of relief when Campbell put the Gunners ahead, courtesy of a brilliant through-ball by Swedish international Anders Limpar, who squeezed his pass between Derek Mountfield and Paul McGrath into Campbell's path.

Villa, making a major contribution to a thrilling encounter, almost snatched an equaliser six minutes into the second half when Ormondroyd again threatened but his goal-bound shot rebounded off teammate Penrice to spare Arsenal.

The Gunners responded by turning on the style and settled the match with three goals in six scintillating minutes.

Davis began the thrills in the 55th minute when he controlled Nigel Winterburn's low cross with his first touch and then swept the ball home on the turn, via the near post, with his second.

Then, Smith, grabbed a double to push the home side further in front.

First, he fired in a looping header that was already over the goal-line before McGrath hooked desperately away and, then, in the 61st minute, Smith stabbed home Arsenal's fourth.

To add to their woes, Villa had goalkeeper Spink stretchered off after a 73rd minute collision with Campbell just outside the area.

England midfielder David Platt took over the goalkeeping duties but there was little he could do to prevent Campbell claiming his second goal five minutes from time.

The exciting. emerging striker picked his spot and buried the ball in the bottom corner with Platt looking on helplessly.