Arsenal v Aston Villa All-in-one Thread (Match #272) (Post-match #993)

[Dr Butler]

Really looking forward to this game, it has all the feel of O'Neill's first competitive game in charge.

UTV

[Concrete John]

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Luna; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Wiemann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

If that isn't the exact team then it's not far from it all I reckon.  Only change I'd make personally is Sylla for KEA as we'll not have much of the ball and his extra enegy is closing down the Arsenal midfield would be useful.

[oldtimernow]

3-2 to the Villa

Holding on for the win for the last 15 minutes

[paul_e]

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Luna; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Wiemann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

If that isn't the exact team then it's not far from it all I reckon.  Only change I'd make personally is Sylla for KEA as we'll not have much of the ball and his extra enegy is closing down the Arsenal midfield would be useful.

Sylla picked up a knock for the U21s last night so I doubt he'll start.

The questionables in there are Okore and KEA, Okore for Fitness, KEA because I see him and westwood competing for a single spot rather than both playing.  I wouldn't be massively surprised if Tonev or Bacuna play just ahead of Delph and Westwood.

[preston28]

My first visit to the Emirates so hoping we get something & I have a feeling we will, so I'm going for a 2-1 win! Benteke and Luna (!) for us. OG for them!

[Matt Collins]

I thought Sylla was excellent at the back end of last season, in games like Sunderland, Norwich and Chelsea. I can't think of a single game where KEA has performed to that standard.  Not in competitive games anyway. I'd definitely play Sylla in these first two games of he's fit. We clearly lose on terms of attacking impetus, but we need to be really competitive in midfield and will be playing mostly on the break. 

[N'ZMAV]

I'm seriously glad we are playing Arsenal on the weekend. This is the weakest Arsenal squad there will be all season, there bound to get players in, so we're better off playing them now.

[Fergal]

I think a draw would be a very good result.  We are a club in transition and will be for some time so perhaps the performance is more important than the result.

[Toronto Villa]

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Luna; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Wiemann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

If that isn't the exact team then it's not far from it all I reckon.  Only change I'd make personally is Sylla for KEA as we'll not have much of the ball and his extra enegy is closing down the Arsenal midfield would be useful.

I actually think we'll have a lot more of the ball than we have had in a good number of years. This team is being built to be a lot of more technical and one that won't give the ball away as readily.

[PeterWithesShin]

If everyone is fit i'd go for Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Luna; Sylla, Westwood, Delph; Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

As there is a big doubt over Sylla he'll probably go with KEA. Although with Lambert anything is possible, so I wouldn't be totally shocked for Tonev or Bacuna to start as more attackers.

[Concrete John]

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Luna; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Wiemann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

If that isn't the exact team then it's not far from it all I reckon.  Only change I'd make personally is Sylla for KEA as we'll not have much of the ball and his extra enegy is closing down the Arsenal midfield would be useful.

I actually think we'll have a lot more of the ball than we have had in a good number of years. This team is being built to be a lot of more technical and one that won't give the ball away as readily.

I think you're right in general terms, but to go away to a CL side that also play that way and expect do it better than them is a big ask.

[Toronto Villa]

Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Luna; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Wiemann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

If that isn't the exact team then it's not far from it all I reckon.  Only change I'd make personally is Sylla for KEA as we'll not have much of the ball and his extra enegy is closing down the Arsenal midfield would be useful.

I actually think we'll have a lot more of the ball than we have had in a good number of years. This team is being built to be a lot of more technical and one that won't give the ball away as readily.

I think you're right in general terms, but to go away to a CL side that also play that way and expect do it better than them is a big ask.

they'll certainly want to dictate the play. They'll be very wary of our breaking speed and strength and last season we gave as good as we got and lost to a late goal. They won't have improved much, we have quite a bit since the last encounter. I'm quite optimistic that we can give a really good account of ourselves.

[peter w]

I've only seen us play at Arsenal twice. We've won both times. Never seen us win at Selhurst in about 8 visits, mind.

[olaftab]

Anyone know if the team are staying in London Friday to Wednesday or coming back and forth ?

It's London not Lagos. They will be back Saturday night.

[olaftab]

Here is the team:

Guzan, Lowton Vlaar Baker Luna,  Westwood Delph Sylla,  Weimann Benteke Tonev and we win 3-2.