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

[Legion]

0-2 away win

Benteke 23, 58

Saturday 17.8.13 KO 3pm

For the start of the season we are trialling having one thread for each match as opposed to the previous three separate ones. The thread title will be updated with a Reply# reference at around about the time when the match starts and ends in order to help locate the appropriate place for reading. A Page# reference is useless as page lengths can be set to different amounts on individual systems.

We go again Team news and match build-up

We love you, Villa Enjoy.

[l_mckay]

1-1 Benteke with the goal.

[Yossarian]

I have high hopes for Villa this season but I think the best we can hope for is a draw. A top four team at home to a team who only just avoided relegation last season suggests an easy home win. There is lots of optimism with us but we can't compete with the Arsenal's of this world. Not yet. As the start of the season throws up odd results then a chances are improved compared to if we went to play them in March.

I will say 1-1. Benteke 38 mins. Walcott 73 mins.

[paul_e]

2-2 benteke and gabby for us, walcott with 2 for them.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

2-2

Sammy Morgan and Pongo Waring for us.
Cliff Bastin and Charlie Buchan for them.

[Jimbo]

We'll lose it 3-1, Benteke with the goal, the defence unable to cope.

[ldavfc4eva]

I have to agree with Jimbo about the defence, although you never know, first game of the season, confidence high sod it, we will nick it 2-3. benteke hat-trick, winner coming in the 93rd minute.

[UK Redsox]

3-1 Arse

Benteke for Villa

At least one own goal for Arse

[ADVILLAFAN]

I'll be a wild optimist (it is the start of the season) and go for a draw. Judging by our defence so far in pre-season, I'll say 7-7.

[Ron Manager]

2-0 Arsenal. Benteke sent off 68th minute.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I honestly have no idea.

[Concrete John]

I've got a feeling we'll catch them cold and their lack of signings means the crowd will turn if we score first.  So I'm going for one of those opening day shocks.  1-2 with Benteke and Weimann scoring.  They get one back setting up a very nervy last 10 minutes for us.   

[Nev]

From the day the fixtures were announced I had a feeling we would win this game, no idea why or indeed how.

Maybe because it's the first game and there are usually some surprise results, maybe because no-one gives us a chance or maybe it's because hope overides realism.

Anyway, we will win this one.

[warleyboy]

I have a gut feeling we could get something here, so going for a 1-1 with Benteke scoring.

Very difficult to call this game, Arseholenal have had a fantastic pre season, scoring for fun and will be in a confident mood going into this game, but............

We are a team who can now score goals for fun as well, and maybe Arsenal may not be expecting it. There will be a lot of teams taken aback by our attacking finesse.

UTV

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]