The Claret and Blue lost the big game of the day, 1-0 at home to Chelsea, but then saw Ricky Sbragia's Black Cats shut out the Gunners to claim a goalless draw.
Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin made his much awaited debut, but Arsene Wenger's side just couldn't beat Sunderland keeper Martin Fulop.
In the Midlands, Villa were unlucky to taste defeat against a Chelsea side who were being managed by Dutchman Guus Hiddink for the first time.
Nicolas Anelka's 18th minute strike gave the battlers from Stamford Bridge a much needed win, which lifted them back above Villa into third place.
Martin O'Neill's men huffed and puffed but just couldn't break down the away side, who were saved on two notable occasions by the excellent Peter Cech.
The keeper, wearing fluorescent orange, certainly stood out with a match winning performance, which included fine second half saves from Gabby Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry.
Chelsea hadn't won at Villa Park in their last nine visits but they definitely picked the right time to break that hoodoo.
Frank Lampard pulled the strings in midfield and it was he who teed up Anelka for the opener.
Blip
After that early blow Villa dominated but were unable to force the ball over the line.
Ashley Young hit the crossbar in the first half with a bending free-kick and after the break Cech showed why he is rated as the best keeper in Europe with a fine display.
The Czech looks unbeatable at times and so he proved on a frustrating day for fans of the Villans.
Villa now lie fourth, six points ahead of Arsenal and ten clear of Everton who drew 0-0 with Newcastle on Sunday.
With Manchester United seemingly invincible at the top of the table the fight is on for second, third and fourth.
Their win at Villa Park means Chelsea have now done the double over the Villans but it will mean nothing if they don't finish above them at the end of the season.
Villa now travel to Moscow to face CSKA in the second leg of their Uefa Cup tie on Thursday before a crucial fixture against Stoke at Villa Park three days later.
Fans will be hoping that the recent blip ends soon with a top four place still very much in Villa's hands.