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

[paulcomben]

Anyone else checking out BT Sport's 1st ever PL match? Hargreaves & McManaman pundits. Mark Halsey at the stadium giving the ref's viewpoint, which is a good and overdue idea. Thank goodness he will not be officiating any more Villa games, too.

[eamonn]

Some interesting stats from the preview on the beeb site:

Villa have only won twice on their last 27 league trips to Arsenal, although both of those were at the Emirates Stadium.

Is that really true? We beat them away in 2008, 2011, 1993 and I'm pretty sure once or twice more since 1986 (Chrissy Price getting a late winner late 80's?).

However, they were the only top-flight side to earn more points away (21) than at home (20) last season.

This happened under O'Neill as well, yeah? Maybe one day we'll be more than counter-attacking demons.

[Legion]

Preview from Auntie

[Gregorys Boy]

If Ahmadi does play that is a sign of us being quite defensive and smothering the midfeld for me, don't see him playing too many times this season.

Yeah sort of agree that if Arsenal do get an early goal then it would not be a shock to seem them win quite easily, but I do think its a good time to playing them and if press the midfeld and keep it tight at the back, plus have a bit of luck then I am confident we will get something.  Both teams certainly have some good attacking talent.

I will be listening to the match on Fivelive while my mum will be watching Jeff and the boys on Sky.

[django]

I think we'll destroy them so completely that Wenger resigns and the owners wind the club up.

I'm possibly a little over confident.

[paulcomben]

Based on last Saturday, Tonev may start in the hole, but that would make us very attacking and weak in defence.

[paulcomben]

For anyone who does not know, ours is the commentary match on 5 Live.

[Jimbo]

There's a rumour on that there Twitter that a certain Scottish manager has caught a certain train to London. A certain train full of Aston Villa fans.

[Gregorys Boy]

There's a rumour on that there Twitter that a certain Scottish manager has caught a certain train to London. A certain train full of Aston Villa fans.

McGleish for Arsenal wow!  Either way its balls.

[eastie]

Hi everyone .
Had an enjoyable few weeks watching the ashes but here we go again - a new season and high hopes for a good one .
We have a tough opening week but lets start with a bang and get a result today , could be a good time to play arsenal.

[danlanza]

Hi everyone .
Had an enjoyable few weeks watching the ashes but here we go again - a new season and high hopes for a good one .
We have a tough opening week but lets start with a bang and get a result today , could be a good time to play arsenal.

Hi matey. Keeping well ?

[eastie]

Fine thanks mate  , hoping for a good start today , Walcott is the worry for me but we have a potent attack and i think both teams will score - should be an open game.
Delighted we kept benteke and I'm hoping okore and luna will tighten up the defence a bit , not seen enough of tonev yet but he could be a very exciting signing , we certainly have better options on the bench this season.

[danlanza]

Fine thanks mate  , hoping for a good start today , Walcott is the worry for me but we have a potent attack and i think both teams will score - should be an open game.
Delighted we kept benteke and I'm hoping okore and luna will tighten up the defence a bit , not seen enough of tonev yet but he could be a very exciting signing , we certainly have better options on the bench this season.

Very confident today. Got a sneaky feeling for a 2-1 win for us. Would take a draw though.

[paulcomben]

Welcome back, Eastie.

Only 15 minutes until Lambo's first team sheet goes public this season.  Interesting contrast with a year ago: Given, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Holman, KEA, Delph, Nzogbia, Ireland, Bent Subs Guzan, Herd, Weimann, Gardner, Lichaj, Burke, Bannan.

[eastie]

I fancy us more today than against Chelsea , i would take a draw too but we may well win , arsenal are not the force they once were , the gunners  crowd may get restless if we start well .