Aston Villa vs Arsenal Pre-Match Thread

[WestleyArmsAV]

2-2 Benteke Gabby

UTV

[villa `cross the mersey]

1-7 with Drake getting all seven - or 1-5 with Woodcock getting four ... fill in the latest Arsenal striker to get an easy ride at VP

[Clampy]

I'd go with five at the back or five in midfield for this one if possible and try and catch them on the break. I know we're at home and we shouldn't be doing that but it's how we play best.

[Chris Jameson]

1-1.

I'm a fool.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Definite 4-5-1 Albrighton and Gabby will have to graft. This could be the night Benteke wants to "really" put in a performance. He will want to keep on the radar, Its gonna be a battering or a massive turn around .....

[eastie]

I'd go with five at the back or five in midfield for this one if possible and try and catch them on the break. I know we're at home and we shouldn't be doing that but it's how we play best.

I disagree , how we play best away is 433 with counter attacking football- this will be similar to an away game with arsenal coming onto us and our best hope is to hit them on the counter -  packing the defence or midfield will just increase the likelihood of hoofing it up to our isolated striker - and arsenal will break us down .

I fear an early goal for them and we could see a heavy defeat tonight - but we might as well have a go at them rather than sit back and hope to contain them.

We need our attackers width to try and counter attack - if we had a decent midfield then 5 men would be an option but we have a midfield who lack pace and quality .

[dekko]

If Vlaar plays we get a result, trust.

[curiousorange]

I think it'll be like last season's Man City game - we'll be surprisingly okay, then one of our defenders will do something boneheaded and they'll win 1-0.

[eastie]

Anything from tonight or Saturday will be a bonus really - I hope that we don't get hammered in both though as that could be a real confidence shaker as we saw against Chelsea and spurs last winter .

Very important not to concede early tonight as a rampant arsenal could put us to the sword - will be interesting to see how we go about our task tonight.

[Richard E]

It is such an obvious away banker that I have a totally irrational feeling of optimism about this one. Sod it, 2-1 Villa.

[Clampy]

I'd go with five at the back or five in midfield for this one if possible and try and catch them on the break. I know we're at home and we shouldn't be doing that but it's how we play best.

I disagree , how we play best away is 433 with counter attacking football- this will be similar to an away game with arsenal coming onto us and our best hope is to hit them on the counter -  packing the defence or midfield will just increase the likelihood of hoofing it up to our isolated striker - and arsenal will break us down .

We have played five at the back away from home before though, Southampton to name but one. I think we played five at the back against Man City as well. It can work and it dose'nt have to be too negative. They're a good side. Play 4-3-3 against these and we could struggle. Let's make it hard for them.

[Duncan Shaw]

First game at VP for a while for me tonight and I'm taking an Aussie who's fulfilling a lifelong dream to get to VP and watch the Villa.  I'm just hoping it doesn't turn out to be a nightmare!!  And thanks to whoever's seats we got off Viagogo, couple rows back from the front of the upper Holte right in the middle for £23.  Bargain.

[eastie]

I'd go with five at the back or five in midfield for this one if possible and try and catch them on the break. I know we're at home and we shouldn't be doing that but it's how we play best.

I disagree , how we play best away is 433 with counter attacking football- this will be similar to an away game with arsenal coming onto us and our best hope is to hit them on the counter -  packing the defence or midfield will just increase the likelihood of hoofing it up to our isolated striker - and arsenal will break us down .

We have played five at the back away from home before though, Southampton to name but one. I think we played five at the back against Man City as well. It can work and it dose'nt have to be too negative. They're a good side. Play 4-3-3 against these and we could struggle. Let's make it hard for them.

Maybe clampy, but at least i hope we have a go and show something positive for the fans - whatever formation we use it will be a tough ask , but lets hope we can take some positives from the game .

I just fear if we go one up front and concede early then we will really struggle - I'm hoping we don't resort to hoofing it long.

[BC54 VFC]

1-7 with Drake getting all seven - or 1-5 with Woodcock getting four ... fill in the latest Arsenal striker to get an easy ride at VP

Or even 2-6 with Woodcock getting five - Oct '83. My late father was at the Drake game, and we were both at the latter.

[walsall villain]

I know it's hard to be anything but pessimistic after recent home performances. Man U, Man C, Everton, Liverpool, Spuds, Chelsea, Saints and Arsenal all had games you would expect them to win this weekend but League is such that normally there is a shock. Well the wasn't with 7 out of 8 so I am pinning my hopes on us providing it.