Aston Villa v Arsenal Pre-Match Thread

[frank]

There are some interesting bets to be had on this one. I've had Vermaelen first scorer (likes to get up for corners, and we all - well almost all - realise how shit we are at defending them) with Arsenal to win 3-0 at a whopping 175/1.couple of quid.

I've also had a couple on Arsenal 4-0 and 5-0, plus an Arsenal, Man U, Man City, Liverpool accumulator.

I'm not expecting a good night on the pitch, so a bit of cash would be nice.

I stood to win £750 for £1 last Saturday if Hutton had scored the first goal (at their end) and we'd won 3-0. I don't normally bet against Villa but I think you might be onto a good thing tomorrow. It would sweeten the pill of defeat.

[preston28]

RvP to pass Shearer's scoring record tonight, unless we can obtain a bus to park in front of the goal 

Ah I see cunning plan to win the game by McKnob. Tell Arsenal it is a Wednesday but actually play unopposed on a Tuesday night............we'd still lose by a Dunne Own Goal.............

[Deano's Mullet]

Usually we dont play too badly in this fixture but still find ourselves a goal or two down against the run of play. Cant see that happening tomorrow though. Poor performance, poor result. 3-0 loss.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

(Un)fortunately I am quite ill at the moment (there seems to be a virus going round) and so cannot see myself attending this anymore.

With this game I'm not sure if I'd be going to see how good Arsenal are (which they usually are the best team to watch in the league) or just to moan about how shit we are. However, I won't get to make that decision.

On second thoughts, I'm not able to go, so we'll probably win with the best performance of the season.

[Steve kirk]

Another 2 0 defeat, Arsenal will pass us to death, we will be chasing shadows, god I am so underwhelmed.   

[Des Little]

There are some interesting bets to be had on this one. I've had Vermaelen first scorer (likes to get up for corners, and we all - well almost all - realise how shit we are at defending them) with Arsenal to win 3-0 at a whopping 175/1.couple of quid.

I've also had a couple on Arsenal 4-0 and 5-0, plus an Arsenal, Man U, Man City, Liverpool accumulator.

I'm not expecting a good night on the pitch, so a bit of cash would be nice.

I stood to win £750 for £1 last Saturday if Hutton had scored the first goal (at their end) and we'd won 3-0. I don't normally bet against Villa but I think you might be onto a good thing tomorrow. It would sweeten the pill of defeat.

I'm surprised you didn't stand to win a million by betting a quid on Hutton scoring and us winning 3-0 against Liverpool.

[luke25]

I'd go 4-3-3 because Arsenals midfield will cut through us with ease playing 4-4-2, Guzan, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Clark, Petrov, Gardner, Delfouneso, Gabby, N'zogbia.

[caster troy]

0-3 I think. Can't see us scoring or even getting the ball for most of the game.

Sad times, always used to fancy us beating Arsenal.

[Bad English]

Has anybody mentioned the e-mail from Aston Villa today? It is entitled "Watch Arsenal under the floodlights". Not Villa, Arsenal. (I suppose I could end this post with "Oh!", couldn't I?)

[Walmley_Villa]

(Un)fortunately I am quite ill at the moment (there seems to be a virus going round) and so cannot see myself attending this anymore.

With this game I'm not sure if I'd be going to see how good Arsenal are (which they usually are the best team to watch in the league) or just to moan about how shit we are. However, I won't get to make that decision.

On second thoughts, I'm not able to go, so we'll probably win with the best performance of the season.

Can you supply a sick note please? Why should you escape the agony?

[Matt Collins]

Zero enthusiasm for this, like others. I just want to get the Arse and Chel$ea games out the way to be honest.

I think the logical thing would be to play 433. We're not going to compete in passing football, even if we play 3 in there. It seems we literally can't keep the ball when up against any kind of pressure. But it should stop us being run through quite so readily, especially without Herd in there.

The only real weak spot I can see is in Arsenal's defence. Mertesacker is slow and ponderous and Gabby could get the better of him I think, and they are likely to have Koscielny and Coquelin at full back; so I reckon Albrighton and N'Zogbia wide.

In midfield, I think we need Clark, Petrov and one more. Probably Bannan although I'm losing a bit of faith in his ability to play at the top level. Delph still looks talented to me, but he struggles to impose himself in midfield and seems to be going backwards.

[Sister of Top Cat]

If we're 3-0 down at half time I'm going home.

[Matt Collins]

Arsenal have lost only two of their last 25 meetings with Aston Villa.
Aston Villa have not won any of their last 12 home games against Arsenal (D6, L6).
Aston Villa have failed to score in four of their past five league games.
Alex McLeish's side have won only two of their last nine matches.
They have lost three of their last four home league matches.

Hooray!

[cheltenhamlion]

Nope. Decision made, I am not going.

[sid1964]

Cant see anything else other than an Arsenal win, if they play like they did against City they will beat us comfortably 2-0