Arsenal take 1-0 lead over Villarreal

London:

Kolo Toure scored the lone goal on Wednesday, giving Arsenal a 1-0 win over Villarreal in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. The win gave Arsenal a huge boost in its quest to reach the final of Europe's top club competition for the first time. After dominating with a half-dozen chances, Arsenal took the lead in the 41st minute at Highbury when Toure scored his first goal of the season. FC Barcelona, the favourite to win the trophy on May 17 in Saint-Denis, France, took a 1-0 lead on Tuesday after beating AC Milan in the first leg of the other semifinal. "The next six days really define our season. We are confident we can do it,'' said Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager. Although six British teams have won Europe's number one trophy, no team from London has ever won it. Liverpool is the leader with five titles, including last season. (AP)